PHILADELPHIA — The Mets will likely have an added spark waiting for them when they arrive at Coors Field on Thursday.
Juan Lagares, who has spent the last two weeks on the disabled list with a pulled right hamstring, is expected to be activated for Thursday’s game against the Rockies and play center field.
Lagares is batting .314 with a homer and seven RBIs and was the Mets’ biggest surprise over the first two weeks of the season before sustaining a hamstring injury running to first base in Arizona on April 14.
Lagares’ return will leave the Mets with four outfielders for three spots, but manager Terry Collins has said he will employ a rotation. Curtis Granderson is expected to remain an everyday player, with Lagares, Chris Young and Eric Young Jr., rotating in the other two spots.
Collins plans to hold a meeting with the four to discuss playing time. Lagares has appeared in the leadoff spot once this season and could be an option there when Young Jr. is absent from the lineup.
Wednesday’s rained out game between the Mets and Phillies will be made up on June 2 at Citizens Bank Park as part of a five-game series between the teams. The added game means the Mets will play 20 straight days beginning on May 20.