Daniel Murphy (intercostal strain) is scheduled to hit in the cage on Friday. Murphy suffered a strained right intercostal muscle early on in camp, but he's getting closer to making his Grapefruit League debut. The Mets are confident that he'll be good to go for the season as long as he gets a couple weeks worth of at-bats. It's sounds like he's on schedule.

Daniel Murphy (intercostal strain) took swings Friday. Good news, but Murphy is still around 10 days away from game action. However, even with the late start, he should have enough time to get ready for Opening Day.

Daniel Murphy (intercostal strain) is still a couple days away from being ready to swing a bat. Murphy received a cortisone injection last week for his intercostal strain and isn't quite ready to test it out in the cage yet. The Mets aren't concerned that the ailment will drag on much longer, though.

Daniel Murphy was diagnosed with an intercostal strain of his right side and is considered day-to-day. Murphy returned to New York on Tuesday to receive a cortisone shot. It doesn't sound like a major concern, but the Mets will likely ease him into the lineup during Grapefruit League play.

Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reports that Daniel Murphy received a cortisone injection in his right side during an exam with team doctors Tuesday. Murphy has been diagnosed with an intercostal strain after feeling a "subtle tug" Monday on the right side of his body. While the ailment isn't considered to be a big deal at this time, the second baseman speculated Monday that he might be out 7-10 days. It shouldn't affect his availability for Opening Day as long as he doesn't have a setback.

Daniel Murphy has been diagnosed with an intercostal muscle injury and is headed back to New York. Murphy will probably be given a cortisone injection and then return to Mets camp in Port St. Lucie, Florida within a week or so. The 27-year-old second baseman has ample time to get back on track. He hit .291/.332/.403 with six home runs and 65 RBI in 2012 for the Mets.

Mets avoided arbitration with 2B Daniel Murphy by agreeing to a one-year contract. ESPN New York's Adam Rubin says the two sides settled just below the midpoint ($2.975 million) of the figures exchanged earlier this month. Murphy, who was arbitration-eligible for the first time, batted .291/.332/.403 with six homers last season while serving as the team's primary second baseman. He'll be the team's starter at second again in 2013.

Daniel Murphy requested $3.4 million and was offered $2.55 million from the Mets when arbitration figures were exchanged Friday. Murphy, who is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, batted .291/.332/.403 with six homers and a .735 OPS last season while serving as the team's primary second baseman. Settling somewhere around $3 million is likely.

Daniel Murphy had a nice night at the plate in Saturday's loss to the Brewers, going 3-for-4 with a double, run scored and an RBI. With the three-hit night, he's now hitting .297/.339/.417 with six homers, 59 RBI and seven stolen bases on the season. The 27-year-old infielder will never deliver much in the way of power or speed, but he sure looks like a legitimate .300 hitter at the major league level.

Daniel Murphy returned to action on Friday September 14.