BALTIMORE -- Sidelined since June 18 due to a sore right hip, Mets outfielder Jay Bruce began a Minor League rehab assignment Tuesday with Class A Advanced St. Lucie, batting third and playing right field.
The atypical part is yet to come. The Mets plan to play Bruce at first base during his rehab assignment, with an eye toward using him more regularly at that position upon his return to the big leagues. Bruce is tentatively scheduled to play first on Wednesday and serve as a designated hitter Thursday, then "kind of alternate back and forth" between right and first, according to manager Mickey Callaway.