#Yoenis Cespedes adds to his Mets hype train: ‘I will be ready’

Yoenis Cespedes doesn’t need to see how his legs respond any longer, as he expects to be in the starting lineup July 24 when the Mets host the Braves at Citi Field to begin this abbreviated 60-game season.

“I know for certain now that I will be ready [on Opening Day] and I’m very excited for the season to start in two weeks,” the injury-prone slugger said Saturday in a Zoom video from Citi Field.

Cespedes, who missed all of last season and most of 2018 due to multiple leg injuries, said he feels great, that he is close to running close to normal and he believes he can play the outfield as well. On Saturday, Cespedes ran the bases, sprinting down the line and going from home to second base, before a simulated game.

He last appeared in a real game in July 2018. Since, the 34-year-old outfielder has undergone surgery on each of his heels and sustained ankle fractures in an accident on his ranch involving a wild boar. Now he is playing for a contract, as he is in the final season of a four-year, $110 million pact. When healthy, he has produced, reaching two All-Star games and leading the Mets to the postseason in his first two years with them in 2015 and 2016.

He isn’t concerned about the rust, despite the absurdly long layoff. He has looked good at the plate in at-bats against live-pitching, homering off Seth Lugo and getting a hit against Jacob deGrom.

“With all the years I’ve had of experience in the big leagues, it’s like riding a bike,” he said.

Teammates have raved about the potential of getting back Cespedes. Michael Conforto said he “looks like a monster” and is motivated. Cespedes is just as excited about what the Mets lineup could be with him in it, forming a potent middle of the order trio alongside Conforto and NL Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso.

“I don’t think it’s any secret we have one of the best lineups in baseball,” he said. “We have everything. We have speed. We have hitters who can hit for power, hitters who can hit for contact. I think if everything goes right, we’re going to be a very good team.”