Mets’ Conforto well ahead of schedule in injury return

Mets outfielder Michael Conforto went 1-for-4 in New York’s 5-1 exhibition loss to St. Louis on Friday in Port St. Lucie, Florida, his first major league game since surgery Sept. 6 to repair a tear in the posterior capsule in his left shoulder.

Conforto, 25, who served as the designated hitter, will play the outfield Saturday, manager Mickey Callaway said.

A first-time All-star last season, Conforto homered twice Wednesday in a simulated game. He played seven innings in center field Thursday and hit for the cycle in his first four at-bats against Houston’s top minor league club.

The Mets’ publicly have projected May 1 as a target date for Conforto’s return; Callaway said he is ahead of schedule.