Jason Bay Coming Back to Mets

Added on Apr 20, 2011 by Scott in

MLB

Jason Bay is finally ready to return to the Mets’ clubhouse. The rib-cage injury that kept him on the disabled list since before the season began has healed enough for the left fielder to be activated on Thursday. This news comes the day after Bay went 4-for-4 and belted two home runs in the first of two rehab assignment games at Class A St. Luice.

Bay, who inked a four-year, $66 million deal with the Mets in December 2009, has played in only 95 games during the last two years. A concussion suffered last July ended his 2010 season with a .259 average and only six homers — down from 36 in 2009. And the rib strain came just two days prior to the end of spring training, causing him to miss all 17 games thus far in 2011.

His team can use all the help they can get at this point. A dreadful 5-12 start has them sitting last in the NL East and ranked near the bottom in batting average. The hope is Bay’s power will improve the team’s offensive woes. He’s hit 30-plus round-trippers and drove in over 100 runs in four of his last nine seasons.

The Mets have dropped eight of nine and are in the midst of a six-game homestand. Thursday will mark the end a three-game series with Houston.

Source: ESPN.com