After rehab, Conforto eyes first All-Star Game

WASHINGTON — Michael Conforto will move closer to returning to the Mets and representing the team in next week’s All-Star Game by reporting to Port St. Lucie on Thursday for a rehab assignment.

On Wednesday, the Mets outfielder took outdoor batting practice for the first time since his placement on the disabled list last week, and indicated he’s preparing as if he will be acti- vated in St. Louis this weekend.

“I don’t know what their plan is, but I want to get back out there Saturday if I can,” Conforto said before the Mets-Nationals game was postponed by rain.

Conforto has been sidelined since getting drilled by a pitch in the left hand on June 25 in San Francisco. He was the lone Mets player selected for Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Miami. With the rainout, Jacob deGrom’s start has been pushed to Friday against the Cardinals. Manager Terry Collins will now have the option of skipping Rafael Montero on Saturday, but no decision has been announced. If Montero is skipped, the Mets would have Zack Wheeler and Steven Matz to pitch the final two games before the All-Star break.

No makeup date has been announced for Wednesday’s post- ponement. The Mets return to Nationals Park Aug. 25-27.

Yoenis Cespedes and Curtis Granderson were both scheduled for a return to the lineup before the rainout. Cespedes had missed the previous game with a right hamstring cramp and Granderson was absent for two straight days with hip discomfort. Granderson tested the hip and gave Collins the green light. T.J. Rivera will take a six- game hitting streak into Friday. Over that stretch he is 9-for-21 (.429) with two homers and four RBIs. Rivera, who left Tuesday’s game with leg cramps, was scheduled to play third base Wednesday.

Tim Tebow belted his second homer for the Single-A St. Lucie Mets in their 8-4 win over the Charlotte Stone Crabs on Wednesday.

Tebow, who batted seventh and was the designated hitter, went 1-for-4 and is hitting .360.