Terry Collins confirmed Andres Torres will return to the leadoff spot and center field when he is activated from the disabled list Monday in Houston. Collins said he initially will be somewhat conservative with Torres' playing time, as Torres returns from the strained left calf that forced him to depart on Opening Day.

Given Ruben Tejada's recent success, including seven hits in the opening two games of the Rockies series, Collins said he will leave Tejada in the No. 2 hole.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis will shift to left field. Collins said Nieuwenhuis will be the primary player at that position -- not in a platoon with Scott Hairston. Still, Collins added, Hairston likely will start two games in the upcoming Astros series because southpaws J.A. Happ and Wandy Rodriguez can be particularly tough.

Nieuwenhuis, who has never played left field, started taking fly balls there Saturday.

Torres' return should give the Mets a modest stolen-base threat. The Mets have five steals as a team this season -- with no one having more than one.

• The Mets are wearing western apparel from Denver to Houston, which veterans players suggested during spring training as a team-building exercise. Collins said the Mets similarly will wear hockey gear during next month's interleague trip to Toronto. David Wright bumped into Peyton Manning wearing full garb entering Coors Field on Sunday morning.

• 2008 first-round pick Reese Havens has been activated from the disabled list at Double-A Binghamton. The second baseman had been injured since spring training with back woes.