Mets center fielder Andres Torres was placed on the disabled list more than three weeks ago with a strained left calf.

Now he’s all better:

The Mets officially activate outfielder Andres Torres from the 15-Day Disabled List. Zach Lutz was optioned to Buffalo after Sunday’s game.

— New York Mets (@Mets) April 30, 2012

In Torres’ absence, Kirk Nieuwenheis has been playing center field, hitting quite well — .316/.381/.474 in 21 games — and making diving catches in the outfield that are getting him Web Gem notice on the Worldwide Leader.

But when a starting player returns from injury, generally he’s given back his original position. Most likely, Nieuwenheis will slide over to left field to replace the injured Jason Bay. Scott Hairston has been playing there; though he hit for the cycle Friday night, overall Hairston is hitting just .250/.283/.477 and isn’t really part of the Mets’ future, whiile Nieuwenheis is.

Do you have any idea how hard it is to keep typing “Nieuwenheis”? I’m done.

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