The New York Mets announced Monday they expect to activate veteran shortstop Jose Reyes ahead of Tuesday’s game against the Miami Marlins.
Reyes signed a minor league deal to return to the Mets in June after stints with Miami, the Toronto Blue Jays and most recently the Colorado Rockies.
On Tuesday, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com noted Reyes will once again wear No. 7, with Travis d’Arnaud wearing No. 18.
The 33-year-old was a four-time All-Star, three-time National League stolen-base leader and the 2011 NL batting champion during his heyday with the Mets.
Now, Reyes is returning to the organization following an abrupt halt to his time in Colorado. MLB suspended him through May 31 for violating its domestic violence policy, and once he was removed from the restricted list, the Rockies designated the shortstop for assignment.
ESPN.com’s Darren Rovell noted the Mets’ transaction absolves them from paying the vast majority of Reyes’ lucrative contract:
At least one teammate believes Reyes will make a considerable impact upon his arrival.
“He’s going to bring us a ton of energy,” team captain David Wright said, per ESPN.com’s Adam Rubin. “And I think that’s something we can really use is his dynamic on the field—his speed, his charisma, his ability.”
Wright is on the disabled list with a neck injury, forcing the club to scramble and reshuffle personnel. The good news is New York is riding a five-game winning streak. Four of those victories came in a sweep of the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs before Monday’s 8-6 win over the Marlins.
As NJ.com’s Maria Guardado reported Sunday, Reyes was working exclusively at third base in the minors, so he figures to take Wilmer Flores’ place at the hot corner when he makes his debut.
According to Rubin, Mets manager Terry Collins plans to put Reyes in the leadoff spot ahead of Curtis Granderson, who will slide to No. 2 in the batting order.
Although he has a long way to go to prove himself in the clubhouse, as well as on the field, the fresh start in New York may be what Reyes needs to get his career back on track.
Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com