Mets' Michael Cuddyer (knee) hopes to return for weekend series

Mets outfielder Michael Cuddyer hopes to return from the disabled list in time for this weekend’s series against the Tampa Bay Rays

New York Mets outfielder Michael Cuddyer hopes to return from the disabled list in time for this weekend’s series against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Cuddyer has not played since July 21 and was put on the 15-day disabled list after dealing with a bone bruise in his left knee.

“It is what it is. It’s getting better and it’s to the point where I think I can come back now. I feel ready to get in some games and see where we are in that regard,” Cuddyer said.

He says he hopes to play in a Gulf Coast League game on Thursday and then join the team in Tampa for the three-game set against the Rays.

Mets manager Terry Collins did not specifically say when Cuddyer would play when he reinstated in the lineup.

“He’ll play when I think he should play,” Collins said. I don’t have anything more to say, other than we have got a (designated hitter) in Tampa and he might DH one game,” the Mets manager said. “I know we’ve got a ton of lefties coming up. He’ll play in those game for sure, I have nothing etched in stone."

Cuddyer is hitting .250 with eight home runs and 30 RBI in 82 games in his first season with New York after signing a two-year deal with the team in the off-season.

At the time Cuddyer was placed on the DL, New York's offense was last in the majors with a .233 team batting average and the team was three games back of the Washington Nationals for first place in the National League East.

The Mets still have the worst hitting offense in MLB and are near the bottom in on-base percentage, slugging and OPS but they have won eight of their last 10 games, including six straight. They lead the NL East by two games over Washington.

- Scooby Axson