Jason Bay noted it is not his call, but the left fielder suggested after Monday's rehab game with Triple-A Buffalo that he is ready to rejoin the Mets on Tuesday in D.C.

Given Terry Collins' weekend statements painting the series opener against the Nationals as the logical return date, and given Washington will be throwing left-hander Ross Detwiler in the series opener, it would seem Bay will get his wish.

Bay went 0-for-2 with two walks Monday and played a full game in left field, where he lost one ball in the lights. He has gone 3-for-10 with three walks and three strikeouts in three games with the Bisons after also playing a pair of rehab games with Class A St. Lucie.

Bay is returning from a concussion suffered June 15 against Cincinnati.

Bay went 0-for-17 after rushing back from a rehab assignment in early June.

"I just desperately want to be out there," Bay told reporters in Buffalo after Monday's game. "I came back last time, I'm not saying it was too quick, it just took time to get your footing under you. We felt this time back around we were going to take our time and make sure -- not just say, 'Hey, good enough. OK, come on up.' You've got to get your feet under you. I'm not making the decision, so we'll find out. But hopefully I'll be in Washington tomorrow."

The Mets are 12-20 in games in which the opponent starts a left-hander, so Bay's bat could be useful. Collins has indicated the Mets could start an outfield of Bay in left field, Andres Torres in center field and Scott Hairston in right field against southpaws.