PHILADELPHIA — The Mets are the love interest Anthony Kay just can’t shake.

“This is our third try now — I feel like we’re in a bad relationship,” the lefty pitcher joked Sunday upon his recall from Triple-A Syracuse. “Hopefully this one ends a little bit better than the first two tries.”

Kay, 28, was selected in the 29th round of the 2013 draft by the Mets, but opted not to sign.

After excelling for UConn, the Long Island native was selected again by the Mets in the first round (31st overall) of the 2016 draft.

He was traded to the Blue Jays three years later as part of a deal for Marcus Stroman.

Now it’s on to his third relationship with the Mets.

Kay — who struck out two during 1 ²/₃ innings of relief in Sunday’s 5-2 loss to the Phillies — was placed on waivers by the Cubs two weeks ago and within a few days received a phone call telling him he had been claimed by the Mets.

“That was probably the last team I was expecting that to happen,” Kay said. “Especially so late into the season I would have thought I was going to go unclaimed and I would just go home, but here we are and I am enjoying every second of it.”

In 13 relief appearances with the Cubs this season, Kay pitched to a 6.35 ERA.

He had spent the previous three seasons bouncing between the Blue Jays and the minor leagues.

Kay, who underwent Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for all of 2017, had reached Triple-A Syracuse with the Mets before his trade to the Blue Jays.

Kay was claimed off waivers by the Cubs last winter.

The Mets have been on the lookout for most of this season for left-handed relief options to complement Brooks Raley and were willing to give Kay an opportunity.

Kay’s hope is he will get to pitch at Citi Field this week in front of family and friends.

Kay’s new Mets experience is different from the one he left in 2019.

Specifically, Kay said the organization’s strides in food and nutrition and strength coaching have been noticeable.

“I can already see the insane improvements they have made over the last four years and I have only been here for a week,” Kay said. “I am very excited to see what they have up here and see what they can do for me.”

From a pitching perspective, Kay said he has changed his approach, going from utilizing a curveball to now deploying a cutter and sweeper.

He’s still “tweaking” a changeup that he’s trying to improve.

During his stint with the Cubs, he played with Stroman, for whom Kay was dealt at the trade deadline in 2019.

The Blue Jays also acquired pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson in the deal.

“Marcus was with me for about two months and it was good,” Kay said. “We talked about [being traded for each other] all the time and talked about the other organization and the differences between Toronto and here. It was good to be able to play with him, especially since we’re both from Long Island.”

Kay’s goal with the Mets is simple.

“Just try to throw the ball well,” he said. “Show the whole staff what I can do and, hopefully, it’s kind of a tryout for next year so I can prove that I can pitch here and, hopefully, I can contribute next year, get lefties out.”