NEW YORK – Mets shortstop Jose Reyes left Thursday night's game against the Florida Marlins after aggravating a right oblique strain that caused him to miss the All-Star game last month.
Reyes snapped an 0-for-11 skid with a single in the second inning off Anibal Sanchez. The speedy sparkplug rounded first and didn't appear to be hurt, but first base coach Razor Shines summoned a trainer from the dugout to check on him.
A couple of moments later, Reyes left to a smattering of boos. He didn't even take off his batting helmet before plopping down on the bench.
"It's not that painful right now," Reyes said after New York's 11-4 loss, "so hopefully by tomorrow it'll be OK."
The Mets continue their six-game homestand Friday night against Houston.
Reyes hurt his right side June 30 while taking batting practice before a game against the Marlins in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He returned July 6 but still struggled with the injury, leaving a game against the Atlanta Braves a few days later after making a play in the field. An MRI performed at the time was negative, but the nagging injury caused Reyes to sit out the All-Star game in Anaheim, Calif.
"It never really goes away, since I hurt it in Puerto Rico," Reyes said. "I felt it a little in batting practice and when I hit the fly ball (in the first inning). Then when I got the base hit, it was worse."
Reyes was replaced on the bases by rookie infielder Ruben Tejada, who stayed in the game to play shortstop. Tejada went 0 for 2 and is 1 for 36 since being recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Aug. 7.
"As of right now, we kind of see this as a day-to-day thing," Mets manager Jerry Manuel said of Reyes' injury. "It's going to be a tough one to lose him for any period of time, because he brings so much."
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