Jay Bruce will have roughly 35 games between now and the end of this season to keep himself healthy and prove his value to the Mets and the rest of MLB.
Mickey Callaway said Wednesday that Bruce is expected back in the team's lineup Friday, after being on the disabled list since June 18.
Bruce entered this season having played at least 137 games each of the last eight seasons, the last half of which he hit at least 30 home runs each year.
But after signing his first free agent contract at 30 years old -- a three-year, $39 million deal with the Mets -- he has missed 64 games this season.