David Wright still believes he'll return to the New York Mets this season.

Wright, 35, participated in a simulated game on Saturday. He faced Anthony Swarzak and Tim Peterson and hit an opposite-field homer to right-center off Peterson for his only hit.

He hasn't played since May 27, 2016 because of neck, back and shoulder injuries that required surgery.

"I think so," Wright said when asked if he thought the Mets would clear him to play this year. "The communication has been fantastic."

Wright hit .171 with two RBIs in 41 at-bats during 12 games of a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment from Aug. 12-29.

"Where he got to at the end of the 20 days was not where we thought he needed to be," John Ricco said. "Honestly, it does get more difficult to foresee a situation where he could come back to that level."