Michael Conforto 'hoping' to return before May 1

Mets OF Michael Conforto, who hit two home runs on Wednesday while playing in simulated games in Port St. Lucie, said afterwards that he is "hoping" to return before the original May 1 target date.

"I'm starting to feel comfortable," he said. "We're getting there."

"It's not so much about the shoulder anymore," Conforto explained, adding that it's now about getting used to full game action.

Conforto recently returned to game action and is slated to play the field during a minor league game on Thursday, but will not play in a Grapefruit League game before the Mets break camp.

The targeted return date for Conforto has been May 1, though he said earlier this offseason that he's ahead of schedule.…