Mets upbeat about rookie Tejada's potential

Maybe it's because he was an infielder in his playing days or maybe it's just because he could use some new blood in the lineup, but Mets manager Jerry Manuel brightened considerably when discussing 20-year-old shortstop Ruben Tejada's first major-league start last night at Citi Field.

"I'm looking forward to watching him play tonight and see where his nerves are and his anxieties are,'' Manuel said in his pregame media briefing. "I really think you're going to see a good little player, a good little player.''

Tejada's actual debut came one night earlier in a pinch-hitting role when he fouled out in the ninth inning of the Mets' 7-6 loss to the Marlins. The Panamanian is the second-youngest player in the major leagues behind teammate Jennry Mejia, a relief pitcher who also made his MLB debut Wednesday.

Tejada is expected to join Triple-A Buffalo if shortstop Jose Reyes returns to the lineup tomorrow, as Manuel said he expects. But Tejada, who batted eighth and went 0-for-2, clearly is on the radar now, Manuel said, because he displays great instincts.

"He did some things in spring training that were things you see in veteran players,'' Manuel said, listing a variety of skills. "He's got a pretty decent batting stroke, too, for a young player.''

After a slow start with Double-A Binghamton last season, Tejada finished with a .289 average, 46 RBIs and 24 doubles. In spring training, he improved to .333 with five doubles and six RBIs in 26 games. Last night, he hit into a forceout to end a second-inning threat, was hit by a pitch and struck out.

Tejada is an upbeat kid who understands the chance he has to get a foot in the door despite being so young.

"Yeah, it's a good experience to stay here for making the team and I'm here in New York,'' Tejada said with a cheerful smile. "I try to play hard every day for this moment. I'm thankful for this opportunity.''

Alex Cora, who has been starting at short in Reyes' place, said Tejada already handles himself like a professional.

"He's very mature for his age,'' Cora said. "You can tell in the way he's playing defense and the way he acts. Even offensively, he has a pretty good idea of what he wants to do. He might be 20, but he looks like he's been playing a lot of baseball.''

If Tejada pans out as well as Manuel and Cora expect, don't be surprised if the Mets consider shifting him to second base down the road. They're obligated to Luis Castillo for two more years and $12 million, but when asked if Tejada could wind up at second, Manuel said, "Futuristically, I could see him as a guy that could compete for that, yes.''