NEW YORK (AP) – Jose Reyes finished playing catch and trotted over to third base at the beginning of batting practice, ready to take his grounders during infield drills with the New York Mets.
All at once, the four-time All-Star shortstop was in a brand new spot and yet right at home.
Reyes rejoined his original team on Tuesday and received a warm welcome from fans at Citi Field in his first major league game since serving a 59-day domestic violence suspension. Batting leadoff against the Miami Marlins, he quickly doffed his helmet to a cheering crowd when he stepped to the plate in the first inning.
Just called up from the minors, Reyes faked a bunt and whiffed on three pitches against left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, tipping a high fastball into the mitt of catcher Jeff Mathis for strike three.