Jeff McNeil practices with the Mets after his own wild week: When might he play again?

PHILADELPHIA – The Met had the wildest week and wasn't on the team until Sunday.

Jeff McNeil returned to the clubhouse Sunday after spending a week and a half at home in California, where he rehabilitated his right wrist and attended the birth of his second child. That meant McNeil watched Pete Alonso's go-ahead home run from the hospital's maternity ward.

“It was an experience,” McNeil said. “(My wife) said, 'Don't go crazy.' They'll think she had the baby right there. He hit the home run, I tried to hold back, but it was a very special moment.”

McNeil has been out since breaking his right wrist a month ago on Sunday. He resumed his baseball activities last week, taking swings off the tee and fielding groundballs. On Sunday, he completed a full on-field workout and took batting practice.

“I don’t have any pain there at the moment. It’s more about restoring freedom of movement,” he said.

While the Mets haven't ruled out a return for the versatile player to the National League Championship Series, the World Series could be a more realistic goal should they advance further in the postseason.

“I hope for everything,” McNeil said. “I want to be ready to play. I know I have a few more steps to complete to be ready. We will work on that.”

The biggest obstacle for McNeil will be facing live pitching at bats. He hit a tee shot at home and took batting practice in the cage on Sunday. But the minor league season is over, so the typical path to live at-bats is closed.

The best way for McNeil to prepare is probably a trip to Port St. Lucie to pitch against the Mets' minor league pitchers who practice at the team's facility. McNeil didn't think he would need too many live at-bats, and hitting coach Jeremy Barnes suggested that McNeil can usually find his timing quicker than most.

If he returns, McNeil would provide the Mets with a much-needed left-handed bat. In his absence, New York has become more right-handed, with Brandon Nimmo being the only regular left-hander in the lineup every day. McNeil's versatility would also give coach Carlos Mendoza additional flexibility in his lineup: McNeil could fill in at second base or take a corner outfield spot.

“He’s been a big part of this team all year, he’s been in this organization a long time. I don’t think it will be a big challenge (to reintegrate him into the lineup),” Mendoza said. “It will work itself out.”

(Photo of Jeff McNeil in batting practice during the London Series in June: Daniel Shirey / MLB Photos via Getty Images)