Conforto ready to return

ST. LOUIS — Michael Conforto woke up with a sense of relief on Friday. The Mets outfielder tested his bruised left wrist Thursday and felt a little bit of soreness late in his minor league rehab game. Friday, however, it was gone and he was confident he could rejoin the Mets.

“I definitely felt good most of the game, it was just like I took a lot of swings yesterday and in between the fourth and fifth at-bat there was a little period of time where it kind of cooled off a little bit and so I think it just stiffened up a little bit,” Conforto said. “I went and hit right now and it feels really good.”

Mets manager Terry Collins said he expected Conforto to be activated off the disabled list Saturday when he is eligible and be in a lineup this weekend. Conforto said he also is planning on playing Tuesday in his first All-Star Game.

“The report last night was that he had three hits. The first two at-bats he didn’t feel it, last two at-bats he kind of felt it a little bit again,” Collins said before Friday night’s series opener against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium. “Nothing you couldn’t play with so we’ll get him his work in today and try to get him activated tomorrow night and whether he’s in the lineup, certainly it’s too early to tell.”

Conforto had not played since June 25 when he was hit in the wrist with a pitch. The outfielder went 3-for-4 with two singles, a double, a run scored and an RBI for Class-A St. Lucie Thursday night. He also played nine innings in center field. Hitting .285 with 41 RBI and 14 RBI, Conforto was selected to his first All-Star Game by the players.

Conforto said that as long as the wrist feels good through this weekend, he is hoping to get a chance to play in the Midsummer Classic. He has both his parents, an uncle and good friends meeting him in Miami.

“I’m planning on playing, that’s definitely in my plans,” Conforto said. “Everyone is on their way Sunday and it’s going to be quite the experience. ”