MLB

Tejada makes Mets forget Reyes

Jose Reyes

Jose Reyes (AP)

FILLING RUBEN: Ruben Tejada (above) has been outstanding at shortstop this season for the Mets, making the loss of Jose Reyes (inset), who went to the Marlins as a free agent and returns to Citi Field tonight, easier to bear. (
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Jose who?

In less than a full season as the Mets’ starting shortstop, Ruben Tejada has made that an applicable question around Citi Field.

Tejada’s predecessor, Jose Reyes, is scheduled back at his old stomping ground for the second time this season when the Marlins arrive for a three-game series tonight, but it’s not as if the Mets exactly miss him.

That can be considered a tribute to the 22-year-old Tejada, who has solidified shortstop and, recently, the leadoff spot — without the $106 million price tag.

“When I came here I tried to do my work and I didn’t try to compare with [Reyes] or anything like that,” said Tejada, who is batting .323 with a homer and 18 RBIs in 64 games. “He’s a different guy, with a different game. I know my game and I try to do my job.”

After a slow start, Reyes has come alive with the Marlins. He will take a 24-game hitting streak into tonight and has thrived in his move to the No. 3 hole in the batting order, after the team traded Hanley Ramirez to the Dodgers on July 27.

Overall, Reyes is batting .288 with seven homers, 30 RBIs and 27 stolen bases. Most significantly, he has managed to avoid the disabled list, after three straight seasons in which leg and hamstring injuries curtailed his playing time.

Reyes admitted on Sunday he was stung by the reception he received upon returning to Citi Field with the Marlins in April.

“It was mixed boos, cheers,” Reyes said, according to the Palm Beach Post. “I expected more cheers because all those years I played there I gave everything I had from the bottom of my heart. I know I had some injuries there, but injuries are part of the game. When I was on the field I gave 100 percent every time out.”

Tejada said he and Reyes still exchange text messages two-to-three times a week.

“I’m happy for him,” Tejada said. “He started out a little bit slow, but now he’s doing pretty good.”

Tejada sustained a quadriceps injury on May 6 that cost him six weeks on the disabled list, but overall has been among the Mets’ most dependable players, offensively and defensively.

“We knew defensively he was going to be fine, but we didn’t expect what he’s done offensively,” manager Terry Collins said. “I certainly had no expectations at the beginning of the season that he would be a leadoff hitter for us, and he’s done a tremendous job.

“What I’ve seen this year is what I heard when I first got to this organization, that his maturity is way beyond his years. We’re seeing that now, more than I did last year, because he’s in the lineup every day.”

Had Reyes re-signed with the Mets last offseason, Collins said Tejada in all likelihood would have become the starting second baseman, putting Daniel Murphy in a utility role that would have involved playing some outfield.

Collins would eventually like to see Tejada steal 15-to-20 bases in a season — the shortstop has only one this year — and wants him in camp early next season to make that ghis goal.

“I have to work on that,” Tejada said. “It’s part of my game, so I have to work on that.”