Mets Morning News: Forget sexy, can someone bring Cuddyer back?

Meet the Mets

After winning six games in a row against division opponents, the Mets got a well-deserved rest on Thursday. They'll be back at work tonight against the Rays in St. Petersburg.

Michael Cuddyer might be ready to return from the disabled list this weekend. On the other hand, maybe it's best for the team to wait until Monday to activate the veteran outfielder.

Jerry Blevins will be out for the remainder of the season after he re-fractured his left arm in a freak accident. The Mets apparently knew about the injury before they traded for lefty specialist Eric O'Flaherty.

Perhaps motivated by an inspiring Terry Collins pep talk, Rafael Montero returned to the mound on Thursday with two innings of rehab work in the Gulf Coast League.

David Wright is looking fresh during workouts at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie. On Monday, he'll start playing in rehab games.

Right-handed reliever Erik Goeddel is also on his way back from the disabled list.

2012 first-round draft pick Gavin Cecchini took home Eastern League Player of the Month honors for July.

Around the National League East

Ian Desmond hit a home run and Bryce Harper reached base five times in Washington's 8-3 victory over Arizona.

Joe Ross allowed just one run in six innings during that game, and as a result, he'll stay in the rotation while veteran right-hander Doug Fister heads to the bullpen.

The Phillies scored six runs off of Dodgers ace Zack Greinke, but the right-hander punished Philadelphia with his offense, going 3-for-3 at the plate with a home run. Los Angeles won 10-8.

Adonis Garcia and Eury Perez had the key hits in Atlanta's wild 9-8 win over the Marlins.

Meanwhile, new Braves third baseman Hector Olivera is still about two weeks away from appearing in rehab games on his way back from a hamstring injury.

Around Major League Baseball

Blue Jays center fielder Kevin Pillar looked like Superman while making an amazing catch. Toronto defeated Minnesota 9-3 to polish off a four-game sweep.

Khris Davis hit a pair of three-run homers to pace his Brewers during Milwaukee's 10-1 clobbering of San Diego.

Don't count the Tigers out yet! Ian Kinsler hit a walk-off home run to lift Detroit to a series win over Kansas City.

While the Cubs gear up for a title run, young shortstop Starlin Castro continues to struggle. What should Chicago do about it?

Yesterday at Amazin' Avenue

Jeff Paternostro and Greg Karam are going to be part of a new Pitch Talks event in Queens! Check it out.

Now that we know that Cuddyer is coming back, Chris Gaine wonders how he will fit into a suddenly crowded Mets lineup.

This date in Mets history

In 1963, Jim Hickman became the first Met to hit for the cycle. It's also Kirk Nieuwenhuis's birthday!