Reyes returns for New York
Jose Reyes made an unsteady return to the New York lineup Saturday, with a base hit that nearly spurred a ninth-inning rally and an error at shortstop that nearly cost the Mets a run.
“I was a little anxious,” Reyes said afterward.
Reyes was sidelined all but 36 games last year by a hamstring problem, then missed most of spring training with a hyperactive thyroid.
“Hyperactive” might be a good way to describe him in the clubhouse before the game.
Reyes bounced around the room with an enormous smile on his face, joking with anybody who stopped by his locker to wish him luck. After taking batting practice, he was greeted in the dugout by general manager Omar Minaya, who gave him a big hug.
“I was thinking about that this morning, it’s been almost a year, 11 months, since he’s been on the field,” Minaya said. “It’s nice to have him back.”
Reyes had his lone hit leading off the ninth inning, but he was stranded at third when Rod Barajas hit a liner that Nationals outfielder Willie Harris snared with a diving grab. The catch preserved the Nationals’ 4-3 victory.
A couple of innings earlier, Reyes misjudged a line drive by Ivan Rodriguez that wound up in center field for an error. Rodriguez was left standing on second when the inning ended.
Roberts injured
Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts was held out against Toronto with an abdominal strain, an injury that could land the two-time All-Star on the 15-day disabled list.
Roberts was hurt Friday, when he stole second base in the first inning of a 7-6 loss to the Blue Jays. Roberts stayed in the game long enough to score, but he didn’t return.
“He is better than he was (Friday),” manager Dave Trembley said. “It is right now day-to-day. I think I will have a better idea tomorrow of when he will be available to play.”
First for Ausmus
Dodgers backup catcher Brad Ausmus is on the disabled list for the first time in his 17-year major league career.
The Dodgers made the move because Ausmus has a pinched nerve in his back.