Report: Cespedes could return to Mets on Friday

A welcome addition could return to the lineup when the second half of the season gets underway for the New York Mets.

Outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, who's been sidelined since May 13 with hip and quad injuries, could return as soon as Friday for the Subway Series against the New York Yankees, according to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo.

The 32-year-old Cespedes "crushed" his simulated game on Monday, hitting two home runs in seven plate appearances and also playing five innings in left field, DiComo added.

With the upcoming series slated for Yankee Stadium, the Mets could decide to ease Cespedes back into things by having him serve as the designated hitter under American League rules. It's also unlikely the two-time All-Star will play first base despite him taking reps there during his rehab assignment.

"Right now our focus is to get him back to the big leagues as a left fielder and just do some ground balls as he's in rehab," Mets manager Mickey Callaway told John Healy and Kirk Meyer of the New York Daily News last week.

Before hitting the DL, Cespedes owned a .255/.316/.474 slash line with eight home runs and 28 RBIs in 37 games.