Cora, Tejada competing as Reyes' fill-in

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- Although fewer games remain on the Mets' Spring Training schedule than when Jose Reyes was preparing to make his return to active duty, the camp, without Reyes, now features more competition. Manager Jerry Manuel and general manager Omar Minaya like to see competition for assignments, even when it doesn't exist. But Reyes' absence and the possibility that he will not play for weeks has created a legitimate competition between veteran Alex Cora and non-roster Ruben Tejada.

One of them will be primarily in charge of keeping the shortstop position warm for Reyes, though it's likely each will play a part.

The competition starts at that top. Shortly after the announcement Thursday that Reyes' thyroid problem will render him inactive from two to eight weeks, Minaya said Cora would probably would be the primary understudy. And without saying the words, Manuel gave every indication the 20-year-old rookie with no Triple-A experience is likely to play most of the shortstop innings until Reyes' return. Hence the sense of competition.

Unmentioned in the conversation was Anderson Hernandez, out of options -- and seemingly out of a job with the Mets when the season begins. And importing another candidate to compete seems unlikely. But Minaya said the club needed no extra outfielder when Carlos Beltran underwent surgery on his knee in January. Shortly thereafter, he traded Brian Stokes for Gary Matthews Jr.

"It's early enough that Omar and Jerry can make some decisions who we're going to go with in the lineup," Cora said Thursday. "It's early enough that we can play for [the assignment]. "I'm not Jose Reyes. But if it's the worst-case scenario, whatever it is, it's early enough that we can plan for it."

Cora, 34 and coming off a season undermined by injuries to both thumbs, is quite confident. And Tejada, in simple terms, is prepared for the challenge.

"It's baseball," Tejada said. "I am ready."

"There's a lot of talk -- 'He's 34, getting old, with no tools,'" Cora said. "I think I was playing good baseball before I got hurt. And then everybody knew about one hand, but I knew about both hands."

Cora batted .251 with 18 RBIs and one home run in 82 games (271 at-bats) last season, his first with the Mets. His contributions went well beyond on-field performance, though. He filled a vacuum at shortstop, but also in the clubhouse. He evolved into a team conscience and spokesman. The club thought enough of Cora to re-sign him for $2 million.

Manuel expressed confidence that Cora could handle the regular assignment.

"I would say [early in the season], that's very feasible that [Cora] could play," Manuel said, also noting the summer months would be an issue, but there is no indication Reyes' absence would extend into the summer.

The manager praised the younger candidate, as managers are wont to do.

"He has tremendous instincts. I like him a lot. I think it's an option," Manuel said.

"The good thing is Tejada is playing pretty well," Minaya said. "Jerry's playing him."

But how long will that last? For now, Manuel needs to see more of Tejada, who batted .289 with 46 RBIs and five home runs in 488 at-bats with the Mets' Double-A Binghamton affiliate last season. The manager already knows Cora. Manuel acknowledged Thursday he had have to see how Cora's and Tejada's skills would fit in the batting order. But with Reyes' and Beltran's offense missing, the Mets won't be well-equipped to carry the rookie's bat.



(mlb.com)