Mets in no rush to get Andres Torres back
Andres Torres of the New York Mets bats against the Atlanta Braves. (April 5, 2012) Credit: Jim McIsaac
ATLANTA -- The Mets, off to a quick start, are not anxiously awaiting the return of Andres Torres. And there's no guarantee Torres will even get his starting job back.
Terry Collins was asked before last night's game if Torres, rehabbing a strained calf in Port St. Lucie, would be handed the starting centerfielder's job upon his return. The manager hedged a little, but did not immediately say yes, an indication that he's curious to see more from rookie Kirk Nieuwenhuis.
"Um, I think he's still an important part of this, a piece of this puzzle," Collins said of Torres. "[Nieuwenhuis] has played great. But Andres Torres, we got him for a reason, and one of the things he provides is that guy who can get in scoring position. Outside of hitting doubles, we don't have anybody that's going to steal any bases for us."
The way Collins describes it, Torres won't be stealing any time soon. As for his progress, it's creeping along, though he has begun using his legs.
"He actually has started some movement, yes," Collins said. "They did some outfield drills. I'm thinking, ] maybe Thursday, he's going to do some light baserunning."
Torres had to leave the April 5 opener after aggravating the calf strain, which he initially suffered in spring training.
Ready for Reyes video?
The Mets were surprised to hear that people were upset about the team's plans to show a highlight video for Jose Reyes when their former shortstop returns to Citi Field with the Marlins on Tuesday.
It's something they've consistently done for many of their returning stars, from Darryl Strawberry to Al Leiter to Todd Pratt to Todd Hundley, just to name a few. The Mets will likely do the same for Carlos Beltran when he returns with the Cardinals on June 1.
Rest day for Ruben
Collins intends to give Ruben Tejada Wednesday's series finale off.
