Jose Reyes’ right hamstring is still barking, forcing the Mets’ shortstop to come back to New York to be examined yesterday at the Hospital for Special Surgery.
Curiously, the Mets did not provide the test results and did not make any of their executives available to speak about Reyes’ setback. The Post has learned Reyes, who has been working out in Port St. Lucie, had his hamstring tighten up on him during an off day Sunday, which prompted the examination. Reyes, though, did his workout on Monday, so that’s encouraging.
However, little else is. Reyes hasn’t played since May 20, still hasn’t run the bases and thus can’t be very close to returning. Is it premature to say Reyes’ status for the rest of the season is in jeopardy? Maybe not. Last week Omar Minaya said, “Reyes may have two good days and one bad day. … The fact that he’s out there running a little bit is encouraging, but we’ve been in this cycle for a while. The fact that he’s telling you, ‘Look, I’m looking forward to going out there tomorrow, that’s encouraging.’ñ”
Minaya had admitted that Reyes was potentially going to do some baserunning this past weekend. But that didn’t happen.
Reyes’ health problems are very much disturbing, especially because they’re so reminiscent of his issues early in his career.
When Reyes was first starting in the majors, he couldn’t stay healthy. In spring training of 2004, Reyes strained his right hamstring and ended up missing the first 66 games of the season due to that and a sore back. He had a setback that April 30 in which it was learned his hamstring hadn’t sufficiently healed. Then he was diagnosed with back soreness in late May. He tried three different rehab assignments during this hiatus.
Reyes eventually returned, but in August he suffered a stress fracture in his fibula, missing 41 more games. Finally in 2005, the first season of Minaya’s tenure, Reyes played 161 games, and he remained durable until this season. In 2006, he played 153 games, followed by 160 in 2007 and 159 last year.
But this season, the 26-year-old Reyes has only played in 36 games, racking up just 166 plate appearances. It’s a major problem because Reyes’ role as a shortstop, switch-hitter, speedster, leadoff hitter and energy-provider is very difficult to replicate.
The Mets, of course, have been without Reyes, Carlos Delgado and Carlos Beltran for a bulk of the season — three-fourths of their core out of action.
Last week Jerry Manuel said the Mets were being “very careful and cautious” with Reyes. If that’s the case — and if this latest development is more precautionary than anything — then the Mets are probably doing the smart thing. Reyes is young, valuable and a two-time All-Star who’s signed through next season with a 2011 club option — the Mets need to make sure he’s healthy. But if there’s a major injury, that’s a different problem. And certainly it’s a worrisome problem that the Mets are having this much trouble getting him right.
Reyes’ agents did not reply to attempts by The Post to contact them.