Reyes on track to rejoin Amazin’s

DETROIT — Jose Reyes took a positive first step Saturday toward rejoining the Mets within the next week.

The veteran infielder had a “good” workout in Port St. Lucie, Fla., according to manager Terry Collins, and will play a simulated game Monday.

If he passes that test, Reyes, who is recovering from an oblique strain, could appear in a minor league game as soon as Tuesday.

Reyes’ workouts will come at shortstop, the position he likely will play upon returning. Matt Reynolds and Wilmer Flores have handled the position since last weekend, when Asdrubal Cabrera strained a knee tendon and subsequently was placed on the disabled list.

Zack Wheeler made his first minor league rehab start for Single-A St. Lucie, starting the clock on his potential return to the Mets.

Wheeler threw one inning in his rehab start with Single-A St. Lucie before a rain delay cut short his outing. He allowed one unearned run in his 17-pitch outing against Bradenton. If Wheeler doesn’t incur a setback, he would be in position to rejoin the Mets within 3-4 weeks.

The righty has been sidelined for the past 17 months after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Twice this season, Wheeler has suffered setbacks in his rehab. Collins employed a lineup that included Ty Kelly (2-for-4) in left field and Rene Rivera (0for-1) as the designated hitter in an attempt to play as many righty bats as possible against Tigers lefty Matt Boyd. The manager plans to start Michael Conforto — who replaced Rivera and went 1-for-2 — on Sunday, but his poor numbers against lefties excluded him from consideration for a Saturday start. Entering play, Conforto was hitting just .109 against lefties this season.