Jose Quintana is inching toward his Mets debut, with the veteran pitcher sounding optimistic about his recovery timeline ahead of the team’s first of four games against the Brewers at Citi Field on Monday.

“I’m feeling close, excited. I’m working so hard to be in this position,” said Quintana, who had a third rehab start on Sunday. “I’m going to keep working hard and be in the best shape I can be.”

Quintana, 34, has been on the injured list for the past three months after suffering a stress fracture in one of his ribs during spring training.

Scans showed a benign lesion on the rib as well.

The left-hander underwent bone-graft surgery in March and clean tests in mid-May cleared Quintana to throw again.

Signed to a two-year, $26 million deal in December, Quintana has yet to pitch for the Mets.

Quintana’s recent game action, albeit in the minors, is promising for a team in dire need of pitching.

Sunday was Quintana’s first start with the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones and he fared well against the Yankees’ High-A affiliate, the Hudson Valley Renegades.

In four innings, Quintana threw 32 strikes on 47 pitches, allowing one run and two hits — including a homer — while striking out five and walking one.

“I think the good thing is throwing strikes,” Quintana said. “It was good, feeling good with my delivery.”

Manager Buck Showalter said Quintana was scheduled for three innings, or about 45 pitches, but remained in for the fourth inning because his pitch count was light.

While Quintana said he is aiming for 70, 75 pitches in his next outing, Showalter had a more conservative estimate, saying the pitcher should be targeting around 60 instead.

“I’ll look into it, but 70 seems a little ambitious,” Showalter said. “I’d be surprised.”

Quintana’s return date is based on what type of workload the Mets need from the lefty, whether that be a full five or six innings.

Heading into his 12th MLB season, Quintana has never been one familiar with long stints on the IL.

The pitcher said it can “be a hard time for me” while being away from the field, but said he’s grateful the injury wasn’t to his arm.

Quintana wants to help his team win, and after Sunday’s eighth-inning bullpen meltdown against the Phillies — that not only lost the Mets a winnable game, but the series — his return can’t come soon enough.

“Think about how frustrating this is,” Showalter said. “It’s something the team is in need of and it’s something you know you can bring but your body didn’t cooperate at that time.”