The Mets are not publicly defining the third-base timeshare, but the evidence is pointing toward a platoon.

Eduardo Escobar started against Nationals lefty MacKenzie Gore on Wednesday, the third time Escobar has gotten the nod at third since Brett Baty made his season debut.

In each of Escobar’s three starts, an opposing southpaw has been on the mound.

In each of Baty’s six starts since he was called up April 17, an opposing righty has been on the mound.

During the 4-1 loss to the Nationals at Citi Field, Escobar played until Washington brought in a righty. When Carl Edwards Jr. entered for the seventh inning, the lefty-hitting Baty pinch-hit and drew a walk.

Still, Buck Showalter did not want to use the P-word.

“Not strict [platoon]. We’ll pick some spots there,” the manager said before the loss. “For both of them really, [we] want to use both their skills. Make sure that I don’t close the door on anybody.”

Baty, who went 0-for-1 with that walk, has shown early flashes of his talent level but has not brought his hot, Triple-A bat with him to the majors.

In the 23-year-old’s first eight games, he has gone 6-for-25 (.240) with a pair of walks, a double and nine strikeouts.

Still, those numbers are far superior to Escobar’s, who has lost his everyday job.

After a rough 2022 outside of a sizzling September, Escobar has opened this season hitting .158 with two home runs.

Escobar went 1-for-2 Wednesday with a hit to right field that turned into a triple because Lane Thomas misplayed it.

Escobar also allowed a ground ball from Joey Meneses to go through his legs for an error.

Last season, the switch-hitting Escobar hit lefties far better than righties, posting an .817 OPS against southpaws.

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In the minors last season, Baty hit righties far better than lefties, posting a .955 OPS against Double-A and Triple-A righties.

“Brett doesn’t have a big sampling,” Showalter said, before speaking generally. “A guy may hit left-handed pitching real well in the minor leagues but not the left-handed pitching that’s up here. There are a lot of variables there.”

With their young major leaguers, the Mets have been trying to balance the need for development with the urgency to win.

Francisco Alvarez has been alternating with Tomas Nido and has not claimed the full-time job (at least not yet), and Nido started Wednesday.

With Baty, there seems less concern because he is lined up for the heavy end of the platoon.

The Mets want his bat to develop but have been happy with the progress Baty has made at third base since the start of spring training, when there were questions whether he could handle the spot.

Starling Marte, who went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts and an RBI single, has been in a slump that appears to coincide with when he injured his neck.

Since the outfielder left a game against the Marlins on April 9 with a neck strain, he has gone 8-for-46 (.174) in 12 games.

After a hitless Tuesday in which Marte struck out twice, Showalter talked to Marte, whom he said “feels fine.”

“He feels like he’s lost his tempo and rhythm at the plate,” Showalter said.

Carlos Carrasco (right elbow inflammation) threw from 60 feet for what was believed to be the first time since he was shut down last week.

The righty is scheduled to throw a modified, “touch and feel” bullpen session Thursday, the Mets said.

Max Scherzer, who is serving his 10-game suspension following his ejection for a sticky hand, threw a simulated game at Citi Field.

Scherzer will likely return Monday, when the Mets finish a series against the Braves.

Justin Verlander is scheduled to pitch three-to-four innings in a rehab start Friday — his first and only before joining the big-league rotation.

The Mets said, for weather purposes, they would not announce the location of Verlander’s rehab start until Thursday.