Just two weeks after taking a 94 MPH offering from Atlanta Braves right-hander Jacob Webb square to the face and suffering multiple nasal fractures, New York Mets outfielder Kevin Pillar somehow returned to the field on Monday night.

Pillar was activated from the injured list prior to the series opening game with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and ended up playing the final three innings, with a mask on in left field, in the team’s 6-2 win.

Prior to digging in for his only at-bat with two outs in the top of the eighth, Pillar received a loud ovation from his teammates and the numerous Mets fans in attendance at Chase Field. He worked the count and then lined a hard-hit single to left in his return, again sending the Mets dugout into a frenzy.

Pillar was full-go from there on out, as he was on the run attempting to steal second base on the 1-2 Stefan Crichton offering prior to Jonathan Villar striking out to end the inning.

“He’s testing everything. He’s testing that mask, he’s testing his game, he didn’t go to a rehab assignment or anything. He’s going in there and he’s playing full speed. Everyone has so much respect for a guy like that,” Mets manager Luis Rojas said postgame.

Rojas, like some of Pillar’s teammates, went on to offer some very high-praise of the grit and toughness the veteran outfielder has shown over the past few weeks. Th skipper said seeing Pillar dig in for that first at-bat back was amazing, and it was definitely an emotional moment for everyone.

“I didn’t think this guy was going to be playing at this point, it’s just amazing.. Everyone has so much respect for a guy like that, he found his way back quicker than anyone could think, Rojas said.

Both Rojas and first baseman Pete Alonso called Pillar an absolute “warrior,” with Alonso adding “he’s got stones and he’s got a really really tough, gritty attitude. Awesome guy, awesome teammate, awesome player.”

Jacob deGrom, who donned Pillar’s #11 in his rehab start for the Low-A St. Lucie Mets a couple of weeks ago, said for him to return so quickly and get that first hit out of the way was huge and it couldn’t have happened to a better guy.

“I’ve really enjoyed getting to know KP, and the way he plays the game and how hard he plays and how he wants to be out there. I have tremendous respect for him and have really enjoyed getting to know him and having him on this team,” the Mets’ ace said.

Mets legend Keith Hernandez even spoke very highly of Pillar’s attitude during the SNY telecast on Monday night.

“He brings a grittiness and a toughness that I think will carry over into the ball club. It’s really quite remarkable. For him to come back like he did, and show that kind of grittiness, and to do that interview, don’t think it didn’t have a positive effect in that clubhouse,” Hernandez said.

With the reaction Pillar’s return, and then his base-knock, drew from the Mets’ dugout there’s no denying Hernandez is completely right. His toughness has truly set him up to be a sort of cult-hero not just for the fans, but also his teammates.

While speaking with the media, the veteran outfielder admitted on Monday afternoon that the support has really been overwhelming and awesome to see, but that toughness and gritty attitude is just how he was raised.

“I get paid to play baseball. There’s a lot of people that go through injuries or go through illnesses, and are expected to have to show up to work the next day, I don’t feel any different,” Pillar said.

He went on to share a story about how his mother was sick at home the past few days. His father called him pretty concerned and Pillar said that he was also concerned as she was truly very sick, and she never gets sick.

Despite being up all night, Pillar said he called his mother the next day to check on her and she had already returned to work.

“That’s how I was raised. That’s how my parents are, that’s how they taught me and my brother to be. I don’t expect to be any different. When I’m ready to go, I’m ready to go,” he said.

As both Alonso and Rojas said, KP is an absolute warrior. It was truly incredible to see him back out there doing his thing and contributing to the Mets’ win in Arizona. Pillar has undoubtedly joined the long list of Mets legends that will be talked about for years to come.