Juan Lagares activated; Curtis Granderson on track for Sunday

NEW YORK -- Juan Lagares and Curtis Granderson could both be back in the New York Mets' outfield Sunday afternoon against the Chicago Cubs.

Lagares, who proved to the Mets in a brief minor league stint that he can play with a partially torn ligament in his left thumb, was activated from the disabled list but will not start Saturday night against Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta. Granderson missed a fourth straight start because of a strained right calf, but he took batting practice Saturday and seemed to be on track to return Sunday.

Left-hander Jon Lester will start Sunday's game for the Cubs, but the left-handed-hitting Granderson has a good career track record againstLester. The two have faced off many times, and Granderson's 13 hits in 47 at-bats include two doubles, a triple and two home runs.

The Mets like to play Lagares in center field against lefties, allowing Yoenis Cespedes to move to left field. Lagaresis batting.306 against lefties.

Lagares last played for the Mets on June 14, but he said he felt good in four minor league games this week with Double-A Binghamton.

"I think what I needed is a little rest," said Lagares, who might still need surgery to repair the thumb injury. "Right now, I feel good. I probably tried to play too quick [before]. That's why it bothered me."

While Lagares and Granderson seem ready to return, the Mets haven't yet called up Jose Reyes, who signed a minor league deal with them last week. Reyes has just three hits in 23 at-bats in seven games at Class A Brooklyn and Double-A Binghamton.

"When he feels his swing it ready, it doesn't matter what the [minor league] results are," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "When he gets here, he wants to be ready. Obviously, he doesn't feel he's ready yet."

The Mets optioned pitcher Seth Lugo to Triple-A Las Vegas to make room on the roster for Lagares.