NEW YORK -- Yoenis Cespedes may have been healthy enough to crush a game-tying, pinch-hit, three-run homer in the Mets' 4-3 win against the Reds on Tuesday, but a day later, he was still nursing a bruised right leg that kept him sidelined for most of that game. Out of the starting lineup again on Wednesday, Cespedes said he felt confident of returning for Friday's series opener against the Giants.
"I'll be good to go by then," Cespedes said.
Not that the injury is affecting him much. When Cespedes has attempted to play through his leg bruise, he has been extremely productive, matching a franchise record with at least one extra-base hit in eight consecutive games. That active streak includes Tuesday's game-tying homer, which Cespedes called "one of the biggest moments of my career so far."
The outfielder originally bruised his leg diving into the stands on April 13 against the Marlins. He played in each of the Mets' next seven games, but he has been out of the starting lineup for five straight. Cespedes had fluid drained from his leg on Monday.
Overall since suffering his injury, Cespedes is batting .367 with three doubles, one triple and five home runs in 33 plate appearances, upping his season slash line to .300/.373/.683 with six homers.