More than four hours before the Mets face the Philadelphia Phillies at 7:10 p.m. Saturday, New York received a reinforcement the team had been waiting on all season long.
Activated for the first time, INF Jed Lowrie arrived to the Citi Field clubhouse and fielded questions as he continues his recovery and approaches an anticipated debut with the Mets.
"I'm feeling better and I'm just excited to be back and do whatever I can to help this team win," Lowrie said. "That's what it's all about."
Mickey Callaway said that the switch-hitting Lowrie would be available off the bench for Saturday's game. The Mets manager did not commit to when or if Lowrie would become a part of the starting lineup.
"We've really got to see how everyone's peforming and what our best options are on any given day," Callaway said.
After a first-half stint in the minors, Lowrie resumed his rehab assignment Aug. 20 with High-A St. Lucie, where he played four games before the Mets transferred him Aug. 28 to Triple-A Syracuse for six games through Tuesday.
With the season over for all of the Mets' affiliates except Short Season-A Brooklyn, Lowrie played two games Thursday and Friday, posting a combined 1-for-7 showing -- including a solo shot down the right-field line.
"I'm still building up this progression," Lowrie said. "And for me, it was just about being confident enough to -- like I said -- be able to go out there and help the team however I can."
Earlier in the season, Lowrie logged eight games with High-A St. Lucie (two) and Triple-A Syracuse (six) before going more than three months away from the action.
"I think it's just a matter of how that progression goes and how they can see that moving forward," Lowrie said. "So like I said, we'll take it day by day."