Mets expect Daniel Murphy to return on Saturday

Daniel Murphy is expected to return from the disabled list on Saturday, Sandy Alderson said on Monday afternoon.

Murphy, who has been out since straining his left quad during the game on June 4, would be returning in the minimum 15 days if he’s activated on Saturday.

In Murphy’s stead, Ruben Tejada has been playing third base regularly with Eric Campbell and Danny Muno also getting time there.

Prior to getting injured, Murphy was hitting .283/.335/.414 with four home runs and 29 RBI.

Thoughts:

More from New York Mets News

When Murphy returns, the plan will almost certainly be for him to return to third base while Ruben Tejada is relegated to the bench.

With David Wright perhaps returning in mid-July, though, things could get interesting.

If Wright does indeed return at that point, the Mets would likely have five starting infielders for four positions. A choice would then have to be made between Dilson Herrera and Murphy. While the Mets could simply use Herrera on the bench or send him back to Triple-A Las Vegas, perhaps it would be better off if the club opted to trade Murphy instead.

The Mets have made no secret of the fact that they don’t plan to sign Murphy to an extension after the season, and it’s pretty set in stone that they’re not going to make him a qualifying offer. The question then becomes this: Would the Mets rather get something of value for Murphy while turning over second base to Dilson Herrera, or would they rather lose him for nothing after the season?

Another option could be using Murphy as a super-sub and pinch hitter off the bench, but it’s hard to see the Mets doing that to a veteran who is in his walk year. Regardless of whether or not it would make sense, it’s something that would be unfair to Murphy and would perhaps irk some of his teammates.

Either way, this is something that may start getting weighed behind the scenes, but it’ll be risky for the Mets to move Murphy until they know Wright is both back and performing.