Mejia makes first rehab appearance in Minors

MILWAUKEE -- Now two weeks away from his return to the big leagues, former Mets closer Jenrry Mejia began a Minor League rehab assignment on Tuesday, striking out three over a scoreless inning for the Class A Gulf Coast League Mets. He gave up two hits.

Because Mejia is fully recovered from the elbow injury that preceded his performance-enhancing drug suspension, the Mets must activate him when he is eligible to return from the suspension on July 7.

With Jeurys Familia entrenched as the closer, Mejia's return likely will come in low-leverage situations at first. But the bullpen's lack of reliable late-inning arms could quickly create additional opportunities for him. Familia, for his part, was available to pitch Tuesday for the first time since suffering a mild groin injury on Friday against the Braves.

Other Mets injury updates:

• Second baseman Daniel Murphy should begin a Minor League rehab assignment in Port St. Lucie, Fla., by the middle of this week. Murphy, who has been out since June 5 with a left quad strain, could return to the Mets as soon as this weekend against the Reds.

• Starting pitcher Rafael Montero, who has been on the disabled list since April 29 due to a right rotator cuff strain, still has not returned to a mound. There is no timetable for his return.

• Reliever Buddy Carlyle is dealing with a hip injury and also unable to pitch. Carlyle has been on the DL since May 13 due to back spasms.