PHILADELPHIA — This isn’t what the Mets meant when they wanted Ruben Tejada to be like Jose Reyes.
With Tejada’s right quadriceps hurting, the team yesterday placed its starting shortstop on the disabled list, hopeful that two weeks on the shelf will get him right.
An MRI exam on Sunday night confirmed Tejada has a strained right quad — an injury he sustained while running to first base during the Mets’ 3-1 victory over the Diamondbacks. Tejada did a face plant after his leg gave and still had a scrape under his left eye yesterday as a reminder. But Tejada said the scrape wasn’t a problem.
His leg was another issue. Tejada arrived at Citizens Bank Park with the quad still hurting, signaling the need for a DL stint — not exactly what the Mets needed after several seasons of dealing with Reyes’ hamstring issues that played a role in the team’s decision not to approach Miami’s $106 million offer last winter for the All-Star shortstop.
“I wanted to keep playing, but sometimes it’s much better [to miss] two weeks of the season than two months,” Tejada said before the Mets’ 5-2 victory over the Phillies last night.
Justin Turner started at shortstop last night, but Jordany Valdespin, whose pinch-hit home run gave the Mets the win last night, was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo. Manager Terry Collins indicated Ronny Cedeno will likely become the starter at shortstop once he returns from the DL, possibly by this weekend.
Assistant general manager John Ricco said the team considered sitting Tejada for a few days to see if his quadriceps improved, but ultimately decided it was too early in the season to risk using an injured player.
“These strains can linger,” Ricco said. “Rather than run the risk of him trying to come back too soon because he sees the team playing short, shut him down and let him recover, get some therapy and we’ll see where we are in 15 days.”
Tejada is batting .305 with no homers and eight RBIs this season, having emerged recently from the No. 2 hole in the lineup. Kirk Nieuwenhuis took that spot last night.
Turner started at shortstop for the first time in his major league career. Valdespin was not in the lineup as Collins attempted to get him grounders at shortstop during pregame drills. Valdespin has largely played second base and the outfield for Buffalo this season.
Collins said losing Tejada will weaken the Mets both offensively and defensively.
“He’s a tremendous defender and he’s hitting .300, getting on base, done more than we were hoping he was going to do,” Collins said. “He’s showing everybody that he’s a tremendous talent, and he’s a big loss right now.”
Tejada joined Jason Bay [fractured rib] among the Mets’ starting position players on the DL. The team also recently lost Mike Pelfrey to Tommy John surgery for the season.
Tejada expects to accompany the Mets to Miami this weekend and then travel two hours north to Port St. Lucie to begin a rehab assignment.
In spring training, Tejada missed a week while recovering from a strained groin muscle. He said this injury isn’t as noticeable.
“I couldn’t walk in spring training, but right now I’m walking,” Tejada said. “I’m doing everything, but I’m not trying to run now.”