Collins wants Reyes available for Phils

LOS ANGELES -- As the Mets size up their chances to stay in the wild-card race, they have targeted next week's matchup with the Phillies as a make-or-break series, and it's a big reason Jose Reyes has not been placed on the disabled list.

Reyes reported marginal improvement Tuesday in the Grade 1 strain of his left hamstring and the Mets decided to scrap their plans of having him run on the field. Instead, Reyes rode a stationary bike and walked on a treadmill, two relatively safe activities that let him know the strain had not completely healed.

"There's still something there," Reyes said. "It's better than [Monday]. But still not quite where you need to be."

In talking more about Reyes, and the reluctance to put him on the DL, Terry Collins revealed the primary motivation: the Phillies, who visit Citi Field the first series after the All-Star break.

"That's exactly what we're thinking," Collins said. "One of the things that's on our mind is if he goes on the DL, he misses that Phillies series. We can't look any farther, but I was sitting this morning looking at the schedule for the next 10 days. We're going to have seven All-Star pitchers in a row. Tell me a team that's got to face those guys."

The Mets get Clayton Kershaw for the finale against the Dodgers Thursday, followed by the Giants' Ryan Vogelsong, Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain in San Francisco. During the All-Star break, the Phillies can reshuffle their rotation, so the Mets can figure on some combination of Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy Halladay.

"We come out of the break, and you've got those animals coming in for the Phillies," Collins said. "Seven in a row. So we've got to be as good as we can be."

The Mets entered Tuesday with a 10 1/2-game deficit in the National League East and trailed the Braves by 6 1/2 for the wild card.

Collins is prepared to play shorthanded until Friday or Saturday before he is forced to make a decision about the DL with general manager Sandy Alderson. The Mets made him feel a little better Monday night by rallying to beat the Dodgers, 5-2. But continuing to play with 24 guys is not a good strategy for an extended period.

"I've told Sandy if I thought for one second he could play Friday or Saturday, I'd ride the wave and take my chance," Collins said. "Our club -- they've responded. We've got six games left before the All-Star break. If I thought I had to ride it out a couple days, I have no problem."

There's no way of telling, however, if that will be sufficient rest. Reyes moved around at shortstop during batting practice Tuesday and then took a turn in the cage. He's difficult to tie down, but at least he has gained an appreciation for taking his recovery slowly.

"I don't want to push it," Reyes said. "We don't talk about the DL yet. We don't know. We'll see how I'm going to feel the next few days."

In the meantime, Angel Pagan was back in the leadoff spot, a place he admits is uncomfortable. When Reyes missed games on the bereavement list, Pagan told Collins he thought he'd be more helpful in the middle of the order.

But the manager, with no other real options for the leadoff spot -- he named Scott Hairston as the only alternative -- told Pagan he needed him there in Reyes' absence.

"Wherever he needs me," Pagan said, "I'll be there."