MLB

Mets’ Reyes won’t rush his return

LOS ANGELES — Jose Reyes had a laid-back, Southern California state of mind as the Mets arrived at Dodger Stadium yesterday.

Rush back? What’s the hurry? The Mets’ star shortstop isn’t about to jeopardize his season by returning too soon from the strained left hamstring injury he sustained Saturday against the Yankees. Reyes, diagnosed with a Grade 1 (the least severe) strain, wasn’t available last night, but remains hopeful he will play at some point on this West Coast trip.

BOX SCORE

“I feel like I’m getting better every day, but I don’t want to get on the field too soon, because I know what happened in 2009 when I tried to get on the field too soon,” Reyes said before the Mets beat the Dodgers 5-2. “Right now I have to take my time.”

It was at Dodger Stadium two years ago in May that Reyes tried to play through a hammy injury and ended up suffering a complete hamstring tear in his right leg. Reyes didn’t play another game that season.

Reyes took batting practice and fielded grounders yesterday, but he won’t start running until at least today. If Reyes can run without pain, it’s conceivable he would play during this four-game series against the Dodgers. The Mets then play three games in San Francisco heading into the All-Star break.

Manager Terry Collins said he has told general manager Sandy Alderson he doesn’t mind playing short-handed for a few days, if need be, rather than immediately putting Reyes on the disabled list.

“If I get this guy back, even for the last few days leading into the All-Star break, I think it’s beneficial to the ballclub,” Collins said. “I think our guys have stepped up enough that we can take a couple of days and see how he is.”

The manager said if Reyes runs without pain today, he may still wait until at least tomorrow before reinserting his stud shortstop in the lineup.

“Josie says he’s feeling a lot better and he wants to try some stuff,” Collins said. “But to get him for one game [last night] or [tonight] and then lose him for three weeks is just stupid.”