Cespedes goes hitless during rehab in Trenton
TRENTON » The Mets’ star left fielder is on a steady path back to Flushing.
Left fielder Yoenis Cespedes rehabbed with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies against the Thunder on Friday night at Arm & Hammer Park, batting 0-for-2 in four innings as the designated hitter.
Cespedes, a two-time All-Star with one Gold Glove award, has been on the disabled list since May 14 with a right hip flexor strain.
Cespedes made solid contact in both of his at-bats. On a full count in the first inning he pulled a fly back to the left-field warning track, and in the fourth inning he grounded out to shortstop.
“A couple days ago I had two live BPs (Batting practice) with Noah Syndergaard, but I didn’t think that after a month I would feel that good,” Cespedes said through team translator Carlos Guillen.
Mets manager Mickey Callaway told reporters Wednesday the team needed to see Cespedes ‘going 100 percent’ on the bases and in the outfield.
Before driving to Trenton on Friday, Cespedes tested his hamstring by running the bases at Citi Field.
The 32-year-old said he will rehab in Trenton all weekend, and if all goes well, hopefully return to the Mets on Tuesday for their series in Atlanta. He expects to play at least five innings as the left fielder in Saturday’s game.
Tim Tebow, the former NFL player who now plays for Binghamton, said he and Cespedes have been friends since last year and trained together a bit in the offseason.
“We talked a lot this spring really, especially out there doing outfield drills talking hitting, playing — everything,” Tebow said. “I’ve already learned a lot of things from him.”
Since starting the season 19-18 with Cespedes in the lineup, the Mets, who began a home Subway Series against the Yankees on Friday night, have fallen to fourth place in the NL East. As of Friday they were 28th in the league in runs scored.
“I’m working very hard to come back and help the team get in the winning track,” Cespedes said. “I’m eager to go back.”