N.Y. METS Piazza is hopeful of return this year

He thinks he is two-thirds of the way toward recovery from a groin injury.
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CINCINNATI -- Mike Piazza is making his first road trip since severely tearing his groin in San Francisco on May 16.
Though the New York Mets' catcher is not cleared to swing a bat yet, he vowed he would play again this year because "it means a lot to me.
"I definitely want to end this season [on the field], whether it's two months, a month-and-a-half, or a month," Piazza said.
Piazza believes he's two-thirds of the way toward recovery, but continues to stay away from timetables.
"The key is, we're going to get it right," he said. "When I'm ready to go, I'm ready to go."
Objectives
Mid-August seems a good bet, after a minor league rehab. Piazza has begun throwing. To run explosively out of the box and to swing without pain against live pitching are the two biggest hurdles.
In gaining an education about his 34-year-old body, Piazza's time away from playing actually might extend his career.
"I want to see myself as a Barry Bonds, in that realm," Piazza said of being fit and on top of his game into his late 30s. "He's obviously found a zone."
Piazza has kept himself in playing shape and hasn't gained any weight since going on the disabled list -- a product of changing his diet.
"It's not in me to get out of shape," Piazza said. "I just love working out. I can't be sedentary. I can't function that way from a mental standpoint."
For him, and for the team, Piazza said he wants to return 100 percent healthy, without fear of re-injury or doubts that could linger into next season.
If he returns this season, Piazza will do so as a catcher. He needs eight home runs to pass Carlton Fisk (351) on the all-time home run list for catchers.