SAN FRANCISCO -- Sellers at the trading deadline? It's possible. But the New York Mets could get significant pieces of their lineup back within days of each other late this month as well.
Manager Terry Collins said third baseman David Wright could enter minor league rehab games as soon as Wednesday as a stress fracture in his lower back heals. First baseman Ike Davis also took a significant step in his return from a left ankle injury Saturday.
Davis ran on a treadmill bearing his full weight at Fischer Sports in his native Arizona and "came out of it great," Collins said. Davis had been facing season-ending left ankle microfracture surgery to address cartilage damage had the leg not responded to the running program. Davis will progress to running on a field next week.
Wright ran at nearly full throttle in Port St. Lucie, Fla., on Saturday and expects to advance to running the bases and sliding Monday, Collins said. He hopes to play in a minor league game two days later. Collins said Wright should get 30-40 minor league at-bats before his activation.
"We're hoping Wednesday he's going to start," Collins said.
As for the precise number of rehab games, the manager added: "I think it will all be dictated on how he comes out of each and every one of them. He's going to be sore. I want to get that stiffness out of there before he comes up (to the major league club). He's going to be sore after running the bases in game situations, playing defense in game situations."
Collins added that Wright's input would be considered.
"He'll have a say in that," Collins said. "If he tells me, 'Look, I'm not seeing the ball good. I'm not feeling good at the plate,' that will all have a say, too."
Collins has eyed July 22 at Florida for shortstop Jose Reyes' return to the lineup from a left hamstring strain. He is hoping Wright returns from the stress fracture within days of that mark. Davis' timetable also could have him return during that 10-game trip that runs through July 31 -- although he may take slightly longer.
Reyes, who landed on the disabled list and had to withdraw from participating in the All-Star Game, planned to resume taking grounders and swinging a bat on Saturday at AT&T Park before the Mets-Giants game.
"Three more weeks we should be in pretty good shape," Collins said about the three projected returns.
When it was noted the bench would be that much stronger when the current starters go back to filling lesser roles, Collins said: "The look of the club is certainly going to be different."
Asked if he had identified who might be the second baseman between Ruben Tejada, Justin Turner and Daniel Murphy once Davis, Reyes and Wright return, Collins said it's too early, noting return projections are imprecise.
"We're making all assumptions that there are not going to be setbacks, that everything is going to be move smoothly and progress fast," the manager said. "We just don't know if that's going to happen."
Adam Rubin covers the Mets for ESPNNewYork.com.