Nymet31
09-01-2003, 04:16 PM
Feature News
-- Jose Reyes hobbled into the home clubhouse at Shea Stadium around 10:30 Monday morning. He was greeted with hugs, handshakes and smiles, all of which he received as best he could while balancing on crutches.
The young shortstop suffered a Grade 2 sprain of his left ankle Sunday afternoon. While many of the questions that immediately came to mind at the time of the injury had been answered, new ones arose on Monday. How long will Reyes, 20, be out of action? Would it be safe to let him play again this season and risk further injury? Will he be playing Winter Ball as he has in the past?
They were all valid questions that no one seemed to have answers for just yet. Reyes had his ankle wrapped heavily and taped, spending much of the morning getting treatment. He was expected to meet with team physician Dr. Andrew Rokito some time in the afternoon to form a plan of action. It's clear, though, that Reyes' immediate future is in the trainer's room and not on the field.
"I feel a little better than yesterday, but I'm still in pain," said Reyes, his smile returning after some anxious moments a day earlier. "Hopefully I'll be back soon. We'll see what happens. Maybe a couple of days."
Reyes said he understands that injuries are part of the game and wasn't at all bitter about an injury that could possibly end his stellar rookie season a month sooner than he would have liked. Though Reyes was hitting .307 with 21 multihit games since the All-Star break, the Mets know there is no point in rushing him back to play out the string in September.
"I hope we can get him back to help us win some games, but otherwise we have a pretty good read on him," manager Art Howe said. "We'll take a look at where we are and make a decision."
Reyes added that he wasn't sure about playing Winter Ball, adding that he would do whatever the organization wants him to do.
-- Jose Reyes hobbled into the home clubhouse at Shea Stadium around 10:30 Monday morning. He was greeted with hugs, handshakes and smiles, all of which he received as best he could while balancing on crutches.
The young shortstop suffered a Grade 2 sprain of his left ankle Sunday afternoon. While many of the questions that immediately came to mind at the time of the injury had been answered, new ones arose on Monday. How long will Reyes, 20, be out of action? Would it be safe to let him play again this season and risk further injury? Will he be playing Winter Ball as he has in the past?
They were all valid questions that no one seemed to have answers for just yet. Reyes had his ankle wrapped heavily and taped, spending much of the morning getting treatment. He was expected to meet with team physician Dr. Andrew Rokito some time in the afternoon to form a plan of action. It's clear, though, that Reyes' immediate future is in the trainer's room and not on the field.
"I feel a little better than yesterday, but I'm still in pain," said Reyes, his smile returning after some anxious moments a day earlier. "Hopefully I'll be back soon. We'll see what happens. Maybe a couple of days."
Reyes said he understands that injuries are part of the game and wasn't at all bitter about an injury that could possibly end his stellar rookie season a month sooner than he would have liked. Though Reyes was hitting .307 with 21 multihit games since the All-Star break, the Mets know there is no point in rushing him back to play out the string in September.
"I hope we can get him back to help us win some games, but otherwise we have a pretty good read on him," manager Art Howe said. "We'll take a look at where we are and make a decision."
Reyes added that he wasn't sure about playing Winter Ball, adding that he would do whatever the organization wants him to do.