Most thought the season couldn’t possibly get more frustrating for Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada. Most thought wrong.
Tejada in the Mets clubhouse Thursday, getting along on crutches because of the broken right leg he suffered in the ninth inning the previous night.
“It’s big-time [frustration],” said Tejada who spent much of the season at Triple-A Las Vegas, after a lengthy stint rehabbing a quad strain. “I can’t do anything with that. Learn about that, keep working and keep going forward. This year is over, I can’t do anything with that.”
Tejada was recalled Sept. 10 and then broke his fibula while making a diving catch and colliding with outfielder Andrew Brown in the Mets’ eventual 5-4 win.
“It’s really bad after I got called up and broke my leg like that. The only way is to go the doctor, wait four or five or six weeks,” said Tejada, who was scheduled to meet with the doctors after his stop in at Citi Field. “Try to stay healthy and keep working is the only way. I can’t do anything with this year. It’s only learn a lot and keep working and keep going forward.”
Manager Terry Collins again stressed — repeatedly — the starting shortstop job for 2014 is Tejada’s to win and keep. Tejada was sent down in part because of his work habits, which drew the public ire of GM Sandy Alderson. Collins thinks the stint in Las Vegas sent the right message.
“It’s a little different due to what he went through this summer where he went to Vegas, did his rehab and when he was physically ready to go, he stayed there,” Collins said. “And stayed there. And stayed there.
“My message is real simple: This job is his. But he’s got to show everybody that he wants it desperately. Like any professional athlete, you’ve got to say, ‘Hey, look, I’m going to dedicate this offseason to show up next spring and be the best player I can possibly be.’ And he’s good enough to be that guy. But as this year showed, no job’s that secure. You have to go out, you have to come in and say, ‘This is my job, I’m taking it, nobody else is going to get it.’ ”
For insurance, the Mets summoned slick-fielding shortstop Wilfredo Tovar, who spent much of the season at Double-A Binghamton. He will join the Mets on Friday in Philadelphia.