An injury did yesterday what no team has been able to do this year: slow down Jose Reyes.
The Mets’ superstar shortstop left yesterday’s 5-2 loss to the Yankees at Citi Field after the second inning with tightness in his left hamstring after beating out an infield hit to lead off the bottom of the first.
Reyes will undergo an MRI exam today and is unlikely to play in the series finale. Though he said he did not think the injury was too serious, the 28-year-old potential free agent has had enough leg injuries in his career to know he should be concerned.
“Every time I have an injury to my leg, I have to be worried, because it’s my leg,” Reyes said. “My legs are a big part of my game. Hopefully it’s not going to be too big.”
Though the team said Reyes was removed for “precautionary reasons,” it’s hard not to think the worst when it comes to the Mets, Reyes and injuries. A sidelined Reyes is the last thing he or the Mets need, since he is having an MVP-caliber year, putting him in position for a big free-agent payday.
Reyes had managed to stay healthy through 82 games, but that changed as he ran down the first-base line in the first inning.
With Carlos Beltran at the plate, Reyes said he was supposed to run on a 3-and-1 pitch, but didn’t go because of his leg. And when he did take off for second on a full count one pitch later, he stopped halfway and nearly was caught off first, having to dive back to the bag.
“It felt weird, and I don’t want to put pressure there,” said Reyes, who was replaced at short by Ruben Tejada. “I feel if I put pressure there, my hamstring is gonna blow up.”
This is the first time Reyes has had problems with his left hamstring.
Manager Terry Collins declined to speculate, but admitted he was “concerned about it.”
“You sensed it not only in the dugout, but also in the stands,” Collins said. “The air came out of the bubble.”
The loss of Reyes for any amount of time would likely take the air out of the Mets’ season. The offense already has had to deal with the prolonged absences of Ike Davis and David Wright, and has relied more than ever on the shortstop. Reyes has not disappointed, leading the majors with a .354 average, 124 hits and 15 triples.
Reyes’ injury status also weighs heavily on his impending free agency. He announced last month he would not negotiate a new contract with the Mets during the season after the team reached out to his agent. With the July 31 trade deadline approaching, he is certain to be on plenty of contending teams’ wish lists.
But all that hinges on whether they are confident he can remain healthy — something he hasn’t been able to do consistently throughout his career.
Reyes battled right hamstring injuries in 2004, and last season he was slowed by a thyroid issue and an oblique injury. His most serious malady occurred in 2009, when he injured his right calf then tore his right hamstring tendon.
Reyes said yesterday’s injury was “not even close to ‘09.”
“It’s a totally different injury,” he said. “That’s good news.”
He added he was not thinking about what the injury might mean for his future.
“Right now, I have to deal with this first and see what happens,” Reyes said. “I didn’t feel [anything] all season long. When you feel something running, especially with the game that I play, you have to back off a little bit and shut it down.”
dan.martin@nypost.com