Mets targeting Tuesday return for Murphy

TORONTO -- The Mets do not expect Daniel Murphy to come off the disabled list when he is first eligible on Saturday, but he should not miss that mark by much.

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General manager Sandy Alderson said the club is targeting Tuesday in Milwaukee for Murphy's return. The infielder has been sidelined since June 5 with a strained left quad.

Murphy, 30, was in the midst of a six-week hot streak at the time of his injury, batting .346 with 11 doubles and an .883 OPS in the 37 games leading up to his DL stint. Overall this season, he has compiled a .283 batting average with four home runs and 14 doubles in 55 games.

When Murphy returns, he will likely slide back to third base until David Wright comes off the DL, potentially as soon as right after the All-Star break. In the interim, the Mets could shift Ruben Tejada to his more natural position at second base, though manager Terry Collins said recently that rookie Dilson Herrera should continue to factor heavily into the Mets' infield situation.

"Right now, I would have to say if Dan Murphy came back tomorrow, it would be pretty hard to take Dilson Herrera out of your lineup," Collins said. "That's why we're lucky we have him. He's making a name for himself."