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Associated Press 8y

Reyes returns, Cespedes and Cabrera getting closer for Mets

MLB, New York Mets, San Diego Padres

NEW YORK -- The struggling Mets are finally starting to get healthier. They just hope their hitters return in time to save the season.

Jose Reyes was back in the leadoff spot Saturday night after he was activated from the disabled list before New York's game against San Diego. The speedy switch-hitter played shortstop in place of Asdrubal Cabrera, sidelined since Aug. 1 with a strained tendon in his left knee.

Reyes drew a walk in the first inning and came around to score.

Cabrera is making progress, however, and the team hopes he can return next weekend in San Francisco, manager Terry Collins said.

Collins sounded even more confident about slugger Yoenis Cespedes coming off the DL when he's eligible on Friday. Cespedes has been out since Aug. 4 with a strained right quadriceps and is scheduled to begin playing rehab games Monday with Class A St. Lucie.

It was welcome news for a fading Mets team that had lost four straight and six of seven. Ranked 29th out of 30 major league teams in runs, the defending NL champions (57-58) began the day three games out of a playoff spot.

They were 10-20 since Cespedes first got injured on July 8.

"Those guys cannot get back at a better time," Collins said. "We need `em. We need their leadership, besides their playing ability."

New York also called up right-hander Gabriel Ynoa from Triple-A Las Vegas to provide a potential long man in a bullpen that threw 6 1/3 perfect innings Friday night.

Ynoa, who was 10-5 with a 4.42 ERA as a starter in the minors, was looking to make his major league debut.

Right-hander Logan Verrett and infielder Matt Reynolds were optioned to Triple-A. Verrett, who had been filling in for injured starter Matt Harvey, lost his spot in the rotation Friday night after allowing a career-high eight runs -- including four homers -- in 2 2/3 innings of an 8-6 loss to the Padres.

Left-hander Jonathon Niese is now scheduled to take that next turn in the rotation Wednesday night at Arizona. It would be Niese's first start for the Mets since he was reacquired from Pittsburgh at the Aug. 1 trade deadline.

"Hopefully, he can give us those quality innings that we're going to need as we finish up the last couple months," Collins said.

Reyes began the night hitting .239 with three homers and eight RBI in 67 at-bats. He had been sidelined since July 27 with a strained muscle on his left side and played a pair of rehab games at third base with Class A Brooklyn, going 2 for 6 with a double, three runs, two walks and two stolen bases.

"His energy's going to bring something here," Collins said.

Released by Colorado this season after serving a domestic-violence suspension, Reyes joined the Mets in early July and initially shifted from his natural shortstop position to third base to fill in for injured captain David Wright.

Cespedes worked out Saturday and is expected to be the designated hitter for St. Lucie on Monday. Then he would play the outfield in the following days, Collins said.

"We've talked to him on the phone and he said, `I'll see you Thursday in San Francisco," Collins said.

When the outfielder returns, Collins said he might try to keep playing Cespedes in left field rather than center to protect his legs.

Cabrera ran and took grounders and batting practice Saturday. He could begin playing minor league rehab games Tuesday, Collins said.

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