Grip strength in Kevin Plawecki's left hand has doubled over the last few days and he will start a hitting progression on Wednesday.
Plawecki, who played catch for the first time on Tuesday, told reporters the news is "a nice change of pace."
Plawecki has been out since April 11 due to a hairline fracture in his left hand, and Mets GM Sandy Alderson said last week that once Plawecki showed improvement with his grip strength that his return could happen "very rapidly."
Without Plawecki and Travis d'Arnaud (who is out for the season due to Tommy John surgery), the Mets had been using a combination of rookie Tomas Nido and veteran Jose Lobaton behind the plate.