BAD NEWS: Ruben Tejada, who also is on the verge of being sent to the minors, left the game in the ninth inning with a quadriceps injury.
GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS: Slumping Ike Davis (right) belts a two-run single in the first inning of the Mets’ 9-4 victory over the Yankees last night at the Stadium. (EPA)
Ike Davis and Ruben Tejada are officially on notice that Triple-A Las Vegas beckons if they don’t shape up for the Mets.
But it might be a moot point for Tejada, who sustained a right quadriceps injury in the ninth inning of the Mets’ 9-4 victory over the Yankees last night and could be headed to the disabled list. The shortstop, who missed six weeks with a right quadriceps injury last season, is scheduled to be examined by team doctors today.
According to a Mets source, club officials met with Tejada and Davis following the team’s dramatic 2-1 victory over the Yankees on Tuesday and informed both they soon might be demoted. The source called it “likely” both would have been demoted on the spot had the Mets not rallied for two runs in the ninth inning to beat Mariano Rivera.
It had been decided before Tuesday’s game by general manager Sandy Alderson and manager Terry Collins, among others, that Davis and Tejada were goners, but the source said Collins later lobbied to keep both popular players so not to “blow up” the clubhouse in the aftermath of such a significant victory.
Davis last night responded with a solid performance, going 2-for-5 with two RBIs. Tejada, who went 1-for-5, delivered a leadoff single as part of the Mets’ five-run first inning, but also was indecisive on a throw to first base that allowed Brennan Boesch to beat out a grounder. In the ninth, Tejada departed after sustaining the quadriceps injury. Tejada said he felt discomfort chasing a Reid Brignac pop-up, but remained in the game for one more batter.
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Tejada and Davis were not given a timetable for a possible demotion during Tuesday’s meeting, but were told not to be surprised if the decision is made.
”They basically just said I’ve got to play better,” Davis said. “That’s what I’m trying to do and I’ve been trying to do it for a long time now, so nothing really has changed.”
If Tejada is placed on the disabled list or shipped to Las Vegas, the Mets would promote Omar Quintanilla to play shortstop, according to a club source. Quintanilla entered last night’s play batting .328 with two homers and 17 RBIs for Las Vegas.
“I have to concentrate on my job,” Tejada said. “I have to get better every day and play hard.”
Daniel Murphy and Lucas Duda would be the prime candidates to play first base if Davis is demoted, though the Mets could give Justin Turner a look at the position.
Collins declined to elaborate on what was said in the meeting, but before the Subway Series resumed last night presented his mission statement pertaining to both players.
“I’ve got to somehow get Ruben Tejada to be more aggressive,” Collins said. “I’ve got to somehow get Ike Davis to work the middle of the field a little bit more, to stay on the baseball a little bit longer.”
Davis entered last night’s play in a 4-for-53 (.075) tailspin that included 24 strikeouts.
”We’re all rooting for Ike,” Collins said. “You have to root for him. He’s a tremendous guy and big piece of this team. If we can get him going today, he came out and worked on a couple of things that he took into the game with him. He felt better. If he’s now out of his slump, if he’s moving forward, we’ll be a better team.”