At least he’s supposed to.
HardballTalk.com reports that the Mets left fielder is scheduled to make his return to the lineup on Thursday in New York’s series finale with Houston. It will Bay’s first game action of the 2011 season. A strained ribcage has kept the outfielder out since late March.
It was originally thought that Bay wouldn’t return until late April at the earliest. However, he’ll play a couple of rehab games and if all goes well, he’ll make his 2011 debut on Thursday.
If he does return on Thursday, it will be his first game action since July of last year. Bay missed the season’s last couple of months after sustaining a concussion and battling the lingering effects. Bay hit just .259 with six home runs and 47 RBIs in 95 games in his first season with the Mets.
