Alou could be back by weeks end

According to Adam Rubin, Moises Alou could be back before May 1, his original guess as to when he would return.

Alou, who went 3-3 in an extended spring training game in Port St. Lucie on Sunday, could be back on the Mets as soon as Friday.

From Rubin:

"It depends on how he feels," Mets VP Tony Bernazard said about the timetable for Alou's return. "But it's good. It's very good."

The official clock on Alou's return began yesterday, when he went 3-for-3 with a double and run scored while playing five innings in left field for St. Lucie against the Palm Beach Cardinals. He also committed an error. Alou is expected to take today off, then play with that Florida State League team for three consecutive days before the Mets commit to his activation.

When Alou returns, it's pretty much a lock that Brady Clark will be sent down. Rubin goes on to point out that Clark waived his right to deny a demotion to AAA, but hasn't made a decision of if he would report after clearing waivers.

There's also the big question mark of what happens to hot hitting Angel Pagan. I've taken a look at this in the past, and my thoughts still stand true.