Justin Morneau’s long climb back to the big leagues will culminate in his return to the Rockies lineup Friday night against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field.

Morneau, 34, will start at first base and hit fifth after the Rockies activated him from the 60-day disabled list. To make room for him on their 40-man roster, the Rockies designated utility player Matt McBride for assignment.

“The goal all along was to get healthy, get back out there and finish the year,” Morneau said. “I honestly didn’t know it was going to take as long as it did, so that was a little frustrating, but I’m happy to be able to go back out there and help this team and hopefully finish strong.”

Morneau hasn’t played for the Rockies since May 13, when he suffered a concussion and whiplash while diving for a ground ball at Anaheim against the Angels.

He left the team for several weeks in order to try and calm his concussion symptoms and heal his neck. Morneau has a history of head injuries, missing significant time in 2010 and 2011 with concussions.

But Morneau vowed to return this season. He started a brief minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A New Britain earlier this week.

Morneau plans to continue playing next season. He has a $9 million mutual option on his contract for next season, so his return to the Rockies is not guaranteed.

“As of right now, I’m playing with the goal to continue playing, and continue my career,” he said. “I can see the future, but right now I just want to go out there and continue to enjoy it every day.”

In 27 games before going on the disabled list this season, Morneau hit .290 with three home runs and nine RBIs. Last year, he was the National League batting champion when he hit .319 for the Rockies.

Manager Walt Weiss welcomed Morneau back.

“It’s great, and it’s been a long road back,” he said. “He’s dealt with (concussion issues) a couple of times in his career now, but he’s a guy who’s had a great impact on this team and organization. He still has a passion to play. I think there will be a smile on his face when he takes the field tonight.”

Weiss said there are no restrictions on playing time for the first baseman.

“I will just use common sense,” Weiss said. “I’m not going to run him out there every day. I think there will be situations, days off for him — day games after night games — that will make sense. It will be built into the schedule.”

The Rockies, despite a need to begin building for next season by giving younger players a chance to play in the final month, are giving Morneau playing time in part out of respect for what he’s done in his career.

“(It’s) for what he’s done. What he’s done as a player and what he’s done for this team,” Weiss said Wednesday.

The Rockies put Morneau on the 60-day disabled list on July 7 and there were concerns about whether he would ever play again. Morneau’s concussion problems began during a game on July 7, 2010 when he slid into the knee of Toronto Blue Jays infielder John McDonald.

McBride, Colorado’s final connection to the Ubaldo Jimenez trade with Cleveland in 2011, was called up to the Rockies on Aug. 12. He hit .167 in limited plate appearances this season and .199 in three abbreviated seasons with the Rockies.

The Rockies also recalled utility infielder Rafael Ynoa from Triple-A.

Nick Groke: ngroke@denverpost.com or twitter.com/nickgroke