Mets OF Yoenis Cespedes, who said on Feb. 23 that he thought he would be ready by Opening Day if he continued to progress, has taken another big step forward.

Cespedes, who has been taking at-bats in simulated games recently but has not yet played in a Grapefruit League game, has progressed to running to first base at full speed, reports Newsday's David Lennon.

In order to return to games in the outfield, Cespedes will first have to show he can run the bases at full speed and run and cut in the outfield at full speed.

Cespedes is attempting to return after missing the entire 2019 season due to an ankle injury he suffered on his ranch that resulted in his contract being restructured for 2020,

Since spring training started, Cespedes -- who has been working out diligently since November -- has been a regular participant in workouts, tracking fly balls in the outfield, taking live batting practice, and hitting in simulated games.

While Cespedes continues to progress, it's getting down to the wire when it comes to being ready for Opening Day, which is on March 26 against the Nationals at Citi Field.

If Cespedes is on the Opening Day roster (or ready shortly after), it could have ripple effects up and down the roster. But until he gets back in the outfield and demonstrates that he's able to handle a full game out there with regularity, it will be impossible to know just how much of an impact Cespedes will be able to have -- and whose playing time might get sliced because of it.

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