JUPITER, Fla. - Less than two weeks after having his appendix removed, Reggie Sanders returned to the St. Louis Cardinals’ lineup and homered in a 13-10 loss to the New York Mets on Monday.

Sanders was removed from the lineup March 17 because of abdominal pain. He had surgery the following day, and spent two days in the hospital before being released.

“I still feel a little weak but I expect to be at full strength opening day,” Sanders said. As for the solo home run in the third inning, Sanders said with a smile, “It sure felt good.”

Sanders, who hit .260 with 22 home runs and 67 RBIs with the Cardinals last season, said he started light workouts five days after having surgery.

Manager Tony La Russa thinks Sanders should be ready for the regular season.

“He still has some work to do but I expect him to be ready,” La Russa said.

Mike Piazza hit a two-run homer in the third for the Mets, and Scott Rolen had a grand slam in the Cardinals’ seven-run sixth inning and Albert Pujols also connected for St. Louis.

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Starters Matt Morris and Kris Benson were roughed up. Morris, who had offseason shoulder surgery, gave up five runs — four earned — and seven hits in four innings. And Benson allowed seven runs — two earned — in 5 2-3 innings for New York.

“It was a tough day to pitch for everybody. Matt wasn’t as sharp as he has been,” La Russa said.

The Cardinals have three off days in the first two weeks of the season so Morris will stay in Jupiter and pitch with the Class A Palm Beach Cardinals.

Carlos Beltran went 2-for-3 with an RBI and Mets second baseman Kaz Matsui drove in three runs and was 1-for-4.