FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- Rickey Henderson, major league baseball's all-time steals leader, today was activated off the 15-day disabled list by the New York Mets and inserted into the starting lineup. Henderson, who won his record 12th American League steals title last season, will bat in his traditional leadoff spot and start in left field for today's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. The 40-year-old Henderson was placed on the DL on May 7 with a strained right knee. He suffered the injury in his last start May 2 against San Francisco and missed four games before going on the DL for the ninth time in 21 major league seasons. Henderson is batting .258 with three homers, five RBI and five stolen bases in 20 games this season. He signed a one-year, $1.8 million contract with the Mets on December 13, returning to New York after playing for the Yankees from 1985 to 1989. With 1,302 career steals, Henderson broke Lou Brock's record when he collected his 939th career steal in an Oakland uniform on May 1st, 1991 against the Yankees. To make room for Henderson the Mets optioned infielder-outfielder Mike Kinkade to Triple-A Norfolk of the International League. Kindade saw limited action with the Mets in a backup role, batting just .196 (9-for-46) with two homers and six RBI in 27 games.  