MET NOTES
CHICAGO – Amid reports that some Met officials are questioning Jose Reyes’ commitment to rehabilitation, Jim Duquette insisted the club is not upset at its 20-year-old phenom’s rehab pace.
“There’s no question about the kid’s desire to want to be back here,” Duquette said. “He’s busting his tail down [in Port St. Lucie]. He’s as anxious to come back as we are to have him back.
“We’re as frustrated as Jose is about the fact that [Reyes’ strained right hamstring] hasn’t healed quickly,” Duquette added. “When he’s ready, we want him back as quickly as possible. We had hopes that he would heal quickly and be back for Opening Day or the home opener. And he’s had a setback or two along the way. That’s the only frustration.”
Today marks six weeks to the day since Reyes was hurt while running in a spring training game on March 14.
Reyes is still not running at 100 percent and has not been placed on a minor league rehab schedule. As a result, the timetable for his return remains uncertain, with the current road trip now looking like a longshot.
Asked why Reyes was taking so long to recover, Chris Leible, one of his agents, replied: “I really don’t know. It takes a while sometimes. He has good days and bad days. Cutting loose is a different story. Obviously that’s a big part of his game.”
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Scott Erickson (strained left hamstring) made it through three simulated innings on Friday without a problem. Cliff Floyd (strained right quad) hit off Erickson and, according to Art Howe, swung the bat well, hitting a couple of homers. Floyd was set to hit off Scott Strickland (recovering from Tommy John surgery) yesterday. The slugging left fielder seems to be progressing well but Howe said he was unsure if Floyd would be able to join the club on the current trip.
Meanwhile, Ty Wigginton, suffering from an ulcer, was set to get out of the hospital yesterday and head home to rest.
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Mike Piazza made his fifth start at first base yesterday. Vance Wilson caught . . . Al Leiter closes out the series today against RHP Matt Clement before the Mets fly to Los Angeles on tomorrow’s off-day.
