Manager Says Church WILL Start

Despite what Mets manager Jerry Manuel may have said on Wednesday, it now appears that RYAN CHURCH is likely to rejoin the Mets starting in right field as soon as tomorrow. This is the report from Jay Cohen of the Associated Press.

NEW YORK - Ryan Church could be back in the New York Mets' outfield for the opener of a four-game series against the Houston Astros on Friday night.

Church has been sidelined by post-concussion syndrome since he left a game on July 5 against the Philadelphia Phillies due to dizziness - six days after he came off the DL. He missed most of June following a May 20 concussion, his second in less than three months.

Church was scheduled to play another rehab game for Binghamton on Thursday night after going 0-for-4 and playing nine innings in right field for the Mets' double-A affiliate on Wednesday night.

"He's healthy, playing well, obviously getting the at-bats that he needs," Mets manager Jerry Manuel said Thursday before New York's game against the Atlanta Braves. "And he hasn't had any setbacks. So, with all those things being said, if he does have another good night he'll be playing right field (Friday) night."

[Editor’s note: Church played nine innings for Binghamton Thursday night going 0-for-4]

The return of Church would be a boost for NL East-leading New York, which had won eight of nine heading into Thursday. Church is batting .307 with 10 homers and 36 RBIs in 57 games this season.

Manuel said Church could get some extra days off to ease him back into the regular lineup.

"He was a very good player for us for a while, a very good player - probably our best player for a period of time," Manuel said. "I would like to see him get back to that level. That would be a great, great addition to us."

Manuel said rookies Nick Evans and Daniel Murphy would continue to get most of the starts in left, and Fernando Tatis could spell Church in right. Tatis, who has come up with big hits this year, started in right against Atlanta and was batting .298 with 10 homers and 38 RBIs.

"Obviously when you head down the stretch, if you have three to choose from, two or three to choose from, you've just got to go with (who) you think is hotter, what's a good matchup," Manuel said.