Cespedes meets the Mets in Miami

MIAMI -- A familiar face stretched with the Mets prior to Monday's series opener against the Marlins at Marlins Park.

Yoenis Cespedes, who is rehabbing from last year's surgeries to eliminate calcification and bone spurs in both heels, visited the club in South Florida and played catch in right field alongside his teammates.

Cespedes has appeared in just 119 games over the past two seasons. In 2017, he missed significant time due to hamstring and quad strains.

"It's exciting," Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen told MLB.com. "I think for the team, for him, it's good to have him be a part of it. I think last year was difficult for him being out of sight and out of mind. I think that was tough for the team, I think it was tough for him personally, and I think that's one of the things that he expressed this spring.

"And I think [it] was great for us to hear, too, that he wants to make sure he's a part of this thing and he's excited about what we can be as a team and wants to make sure these guys know he's here with them, working with them even when he's not physically there."

The 33-year-old outfielder was around camp this spring, usually as early as 5:30 a.m., but he was unable to participate in baseball activities.

According to Van Wagenen, Cespedes has been playing catch for a couple of weeks. A constant has been his strength and conditioning, as well as physical therapy rehab. Depending on results from the training staff's testing on Monday, Cespedes could do some light swinging. He has not been running, instead bike riding.

"As you can see, arm strength-wise, he has it," Van Wagenen said, while watching Cespedes play catch. "His lower body strength has really come a long way, and it has come quickly, which is exciting."

When Cespedes returns still remains unknown -- the Mets aren't putting a timeframe on it -- though Van Wagenen stood by what he said in the offseason.

"I expect him to play meaningful games for us this year, and after watching where he was during Spring Training, I think we continue to believe that's possible," Van Wagenen said.

Worth noting

• Travis d'Arnaud (Tommy John surgery recovery) caught nine innings for the second time. He went 0-for-3 with a walk in an extended spring game.

• Todd Frazier (left oblique strain) played five innings at third base and finished 2-for-5 with two singles.