MIAMI — Life for the Mets with Edwin Diaz sidelined from the closer’s role because of recent struggles began Sunday minus any drama.

Reed Garrett pitched a scoreless eighth inning to protect a one-run lead and returned for the ninth after the Mets added insurance. He was credited with a two-inning save in the Mets’ 7-3 victory over the Marlins.

Manager Carlos Mendoza said he also had Adam Ottavino available to pitch the ninth if needed, but stuck with Garrett because the right-hander struck out the side in the eighth.

Mendoza said he will use various relievers in the closer’s role until Diaz is deemed ready to resume his duties. Diaz allowed four runs in the ninth inning Saturday for his third straight blown save.

“We all believe in [Diaz] and we all know that he’s going to be back and he’s elite when he’s right and we’re going to do whatever we can to get him right,” Garrett said. “Whenever my name is called I’ll pitch, but we all believe in what he can do.”

Garrett’s save was his second of the season. He’s pitched to a 0.72 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 25 innings this season.

Francisco Lindor will play his first game in his old stomping ground when the Mets open a three-game series Monday against the AL Central-leading Guardians. The Mets shortstop last played in Cleveland in 2020 (with fans absent from the ballpark because of the pandemic). He arrived to the Mets in a trade after that season, along with Carlos Carrasco, in a deal that sent Andres Gimenez and Amed Rosario to Cleveland.

“Cleveland saw me grow up into a man,” Lindor said. “I appreciate the city and that organization.”

Lindor, who was drafted and developed by the organization, was a central figure in the franchise reaching the World Series in 2016. He said he hasn’t visited Cleveland since his trade to the Mets.

The series in Cleveland will be the Mets’ first since 2016.

Starling Marte was absent from the starting lineup — Mendoza didn’t want to start him three straight days on the turf at loanDepot park — but entered the game as a pinch hitter in the sixth and remained as the right fielder.

J.D. Martinez is battling a bug that has spread throughout the clubhouse and was given a day off. Martinez was available to pinch hit if needed, according to Mendoza.