NEW YORK -- Yoenis Cespedes will take a tangible step forward in his rehab from a strained right hip flexor on Monday, with the outfielder scheduled to play five innings in left field in a simulated game in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The Mets remain hopeful that Cespedes can come off the disabled list as soon as Friday at Yankee Stadium, where he could serve as their designated hitter.
"That's something we're keeping in mind," manager Mickey Callaway said. "Obviously, the way rehab has gone and can go, we can't determine what's going to happen. But we would like him to be available, obviously, as soon as possible.