Cano expects Monday to be final rehab game

The box score from Robinson Canó's first rehab game in Brooklyn looked good enough on its own. But what Cano said after the game Saturday was even more encouraging.

Cano said he only expects to play one more rehab game, on Monday, after an off-day Sunday. After that? He'll rejoin the Mets, just over four weeks after suffering a torn left hamstring on Aug. 4.

"If everything goes well on Monday, I think that's gonna be my last game here,” Cano said. "And then go back and meet the team."

Mets manager Mickey Callaway, asked about Cano's comments before Sunday's series finale against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, said that Tuesday is, in fact, in play for the second baseman.

"He's doing really well," Callaway said. "And like I said all along, we're gonna lean on the players, so if he feels like he's getting close, I think that could be a possibility."

Callaway added that once Cano rejoins the team, it will mean he's ready to play Major League games.

"Once he gets here, he'll be ready to go," Callaway said. "We'll decide like with [Brandon] Nimmo today if he's going to be off the bench or if he's going to start."

Cano went 2-for-4 for the Cyclones in Saturday's rehab game, including legging out a double. He didn't play Sunday, as expected.

"Running, I feel 100 percent. This is the first time that I saw pitching live, and I think for me overall it was good, because I wasn't chasing anything. I was able to put two good swings [on the ball]," Cano said. "I haven't felt anything [in my hamstring] and hopefully I don't feel anything when I play again Monday."

If Cano is indeed able to return to the Mets in the coming week -- they'll be in Washington on Tuesday, playing a huge series against the Nationals as they fight for a playoff spot -- it would be an amazing bounceback from a major injury. The veteran was originally given a 6-12 week timetable for a full recovery.