PHILADELPHIA — Almost on the one-year anniversary of a career-altering injury, Danny Mendick was back in a major league starting lineup Saturday.

The Mets recalled the utility man from Triple-A Syracuse, a day after Eduardo Escobar’s trade to the Angels for two minor league pitchers.

Mendick spent most of the last year rehabbing from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and fractured fibula that occurred last June 22 while he was playing for the White Sox.

Mendick started at third base against the Phillies and went hitless in three at-bats in the Mets’ 4-2 victory.

He spent spring training with the Mets after arriving on a one-year contract and was optioned to Syracuse near the end of camp.

“There’s a lot of ups and downs — it has been great,” Mendick said, referring to his journey over the last year. “You go through some character building. That was the first time I have ever been hurt, so it got me a lot more mentally tough and makes it more exciting when you get back into it.”

Mendick, 29, said he was encouraged by the positivity in the Mets clubhouse Saturday, even with the team slumping.

“Just talking to the guys, everybody is like, ‘We’re all right,’ ” Mendick said. “If you look at different teams that have won it sometimes they don’t do too well and you make a push in September and you are the hottest team and you win.”

Jeff McNeil was on the bench with left wrist discomfort he sustained while attempting to field a ball the previous night.

Luis Guillorme started at second base in his spot and finished 2-for-3.

“[McNeil] could have played today if we wanted to push it, but he’s pretty sore from that [Friday] night,” manager Buck Showalter said.

Jose Quintana’s third minor league rehab start is scheduled for Sunday with High-A Brooklyn.

The left-hander threw 46 pitches in his start last Sunday for Low-A St. Lucie.

It’s possible he will be deemed ready to join the Mets’ rotation before the All-Star break in two weeks.

Showalter is waiting to name a starting pitcher for Tuesday’s game against the Brewers, following Tylor Megill’s demotion to Syracuse.

The Mets have Carlos Carrasco and Justin Verlander scheduled to start the next two games.

Kodai Senga will be on four days’ rest for just the second time this season as Wednesday’s scheduled starter.