Reyes set to return Friday night

Jose Reyes is expected back in the lineup tomorrow when the Mets begin a three-game series against the division-leading Phillies at Citi Field.

What to expect? The shortstop played in 112 of the team's 140 games and is hitting .287 with 28 stolen bases. It has been a stop and start season, from the thyroid problem in camp to the oblique strain after that.

Reyes is only 28, but he seems like an aging veteran. 

In 2005, Reyes played in 161 games at the age of 22 and stole 60 bases. The following year he was in 153 games and had 64 steals to go along with a .300 average. In 2007, he hit his career high with 78 steals. He had 56 steals in 2008 and hit .297. In 2009 he missed all but 36 games.  

Reyes needs a strong finish on two fronts: He needs to prove he can stay healthy and be productive for the Mets, or, if they elect to trade him, show that he is worth something to another team. 

He is likely to remain. If you have been watching the September Mets, you see that the team  has no prospects to replace Reyes.