Cespedes to make his return as the Mets option Dom Smith

A key piece for the Mets is finally making his return to the team. Yoenis Cespedes is back in New York to start the second half of the regular season against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

Cespedes was out for two months due to a right hip flexor strain. Fans have been waiting for his return, wondering the progress of their prized outfielder. Setbacks altered his return until recently. In two rehab games, the outfielder went two-for-eight with one home run. Cespedes is also learning how to play first base.

When healthy, Cespedes was hitting .255 with eight home runs and 28 RBIs. Without that power boost and presence, the Mets have gone 20-36 and are on the bottom of the totem pole in the NL East. While they may not be able to make a big playoff push now, perhaps the idea of Cespedes on the team can motivate several players to step their game up.

With Cespedes learning first, there had to be an odd man out. In a corresponding move, the Mets optioned struggling first baseman Dominic Smith to Triple-A Las Vegas. Not given a true chance to play, Smith was hitting .183 with one home run. With Peter Alonso’s arrival imminent, this might be the last hoorah for Smith.

The team also recalled RHP Drew Smith from Triple-A and optioned RHP Corey Oswalt to Vegas. It is expected Jason Vargas will take Oswalt’s spot in the rotation.