Lagares, who had surgery to repair a partially torn thumb ligament at the end of July, has been cleared to swing a bat and could return shortly as a defensive replacement and pinch-runner, ESPN New York.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Mets are taking it slow with Lagares at the plate due to the surgery, which was to sideline him six weeks. But feel he could serve a solid, late-inning defensive replacement in center field and pinch runner. It may take Lagares several weeks to be ready at the plate but he might be activated to be a bench player shortly.