Mets' Tejada injures quad, likely to DL
Ruben Tejada is checked out by manager Terry Collins, left and head trainer Ray Ramirez after colliding with first base and going down hard in the fourth inning. (May 6, 2012) Credit: Craig Ruttle
The way Ruben Tejada inexplicably tripped and slammed into first base during the fourth inning Sunday was so bizarre that many of the Mets didn't know whether to laugh or be concerned.
The play itself seemed harmless enough. After executing a perfect bunt down the third-base line, Tejada had an easy infield single, with Arizona pitcher Trevor Cahill not even attempting a throw. But as Tejada approached first base, he apparently clipped his spike on the dirt, causing him to do an awkward face plant over the bag.
As Tejada remained flat on the ground, motionless, none of the Mets was sure what exactly had happened.
"I thought he was embarrassed, to be honest," Terry Collins said. "Then I walked out there waiting for him to be laughing and he wasn't laughing. Then he picked his head up, I saw his eye and said, 'Ohhhh.' "
Collins saw the area around Tejada's right eye, which was bruised and scratched up. The real problem, however, was his leg. After Justin Turner replaced him as a pinch runner, Tejada was diagnosed with a right quad strain, and the Mets sent the injured shortstop for an MRI.
The results were not immediately known Sunday night, but Tejada is likely headed for the disabled list. The Mets plan to have an extra taxi-squad player in Philadelphia on Monday for the start of the Phillies' series, and if Tejada winds up on the DL, that could be Jordany Valdespin, who was just demoted Saturday.
Collins said he is comfortable with Turner at shortstop for a few days, or at least until Ronny Cedeño (intercostal strain) comes off the DL later this week. Still, those aren't great replacements for Tejada, who not only is a defensive standout, but had two more singles Sunday to raise his batting average to .305.
First-base coach Tom Goodwin, who had the best vantage point, figured that Tejada considered diving into first base, then caught a spike when he tried to hold up.
"All heck broke loose after that," Goodwin said. When asked if he immediately knew what Tejada might have injured, Goodwin replied, "If you looked at him, it could have been three or four different things."
Collins said he initially was afraid of leaving Tejada in the game because his eye might close up on him. Little did he know that the quad strain was a much more serious condition. Tejada later told the manager it was not as bad as the groin strain that sidelined him during spring training, but any strain, no matter how minor, can turn out to be a major issue.
