Rookie pitcher Brian Bannister, sidelined by a strained right hamstring since April, will make his return to the Mets staff on Friday night when he is scheduled to start against the Phillies. Bannister earned a spot in the rotation during spring training and won two games in April. He then strained his hamstring running the bases during a game in San Francisco and was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 28. He reinjured the hamstring in a minor league rehab start and was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on May 30. "We're going to monitor his pitches and his stuff," manager Willie Randolph said. "He's been throwing a lot of pitches and we have the luxury of seeing him pitch."