Mets slugger Yoenis Cespedes is nearing a return to the big league club, assistant general manager John Ricco told the New York Post on Tuesday.
Cespedes, who has been on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring since April 28, ran full speed at the team's Spring Training facility in Port St. Lucie, Fla., with no discomfort in his legs, according to the report.
The 31-year-old outfielder was expected to return to the Mets' lineup as the designated hitter for this week's series in Texas, but experienced pain in his quadriceps while playing in a rehab game for Class A St. Lucie on May 26.
Cespedes will not be able to return as the DH once the Mets leave Texas as they travel to Atlanta to begin a three-game series on Friday. The Mets will play all National League teams for the remainder of June.
"We are getting close, and whether or not [rehab] games is the next step, we'll find out in the next couple of days," Ricco said.