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Injured Cespedes not confident in Mets' chances with recent struggles

Elsa / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Yoenis Cespedes is inching toward his long-awaited return to the New York Mets' lineup. For Cespedes, however, it may be too little too late.

Out since May 13 with a right hip flexor strain, the outfielder has taken live batting practice and has run the bases this week before leaving for his rehab assignment at Double-A Trenton.

The Mets matched a dubious franchise mark on Friday, scoring fewer than two runs for the fifth straight game for only the third time in the team's history. The Mets have lost seven straight, and Cespedes isn't confident his return will be enough to right the ship.

"I'm working very hard to get back and help the team get on the winning track," Cespedes said, according to Josh Newman of the Asbury Park Press. "For the way the team is playing right now, even if I'm doing very well, if the team remains playing this way, I don't think it's going to help, but I'm eager to get back."

The Mets sit eight games out of first place in the National League East following the 4-1 loss to the New York Yankees. Only the Miami Marlins have a worse record in the division.

Still, Cespedes said he felt good swinging a bat for the first time in a while.

"I didn't think that after a month, taking the first at-bat, I would feel that good," Cespedes said.

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