Mets notes
Reyes wants to return to Mets for 2019
Jose Reyes doesn’t want to retire, but he knows the decision might be made for him.
Reyes is set to become a free agent again after this season, and is hopeful to return to Queens, but the affection of ownership toward the 35-year-old longtime Met may not be enough to outweigh his sub-.200 batting average, and dwindling allaround skills,
“Of course I’d want to come back,” Reyes said before Tuesday’s 6-1 loss to the Reds. “My body feels good. I feel healthy. We’ll see if there’s an opportunity.”
Despite batting a careerworst .246 last season, Reyes was brought back on a oneyear deal, and has struggled to justify the low-cost signing.
Now, 16 years into his major league career, the infielder hopes the season’s final two months won’t become the final games of his career.
“I just want to enjoy each day and then we’ll see what happens,” Reyes said. “I’m just trying to enjoy my time here because you never know if it’s going to be here last year or not. I don’t want to think about what the future holds. I just want to finish the season strong and see what happens.” ➤ Rookie right-hander Corey Oswalt (1-2, 5.13 ERA) will receive another start — in place of lefty Steven Matz (strained forearm) — and will likely take the mound Saturday in Miami. ➤ Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman are the latest Mets pitchers to face innings limits. Mickey Callaway and pitching coach Dave Ei
land have set “specific guidelines” for how they will use Lugo, and Gsellman, the rest of the season. Gsellman ranks fifth in the majors with 62 2/3 relief innings, while Lugo has thrown a total of 78 ¹/3 innings.
“We’re really trying to be mindful of the innings that Robert has and Seth have, at this point,” Callaway said. “We’re gonna put some rules on ourselves, as far as usage for those guys moving forward and try to stick to those.”
Callaway said he isn’t opposed to giving Lugo another chance to start this season and might consider the mixed-use pitcher for the rotation next season.
“September can be an interesting month. If we had the opportunity or the need, he could definitely slip back in the rotation,” Callaway said. “I think … he will prepare as a starter coming to spring training because you always need to have enough starters coming to the season because anything can happen, and then you can always transition him into the bullpen.”
➤ Chris Flexen had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. …
Drew Smith pitched a career-high two innings Tuesday and didn’t allow a run. … Jose Bautista snapped a 23 at-bat hitless stretch with a second-inning RBI double. … St. John’s basketball forward turned Reds reliever Amir Garrett pitched a scoreless ninth inning.