After missing most of the 2009 season with persistent leg injuries, New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes is ready and raring to go for 2010.
Reyes, who appeared in only 36 games last season, showed off the progress hes made in regaining his health on Monday, running sprints at a Long Island athletic training facility and pronouncing himself ready for spring training. He said hes been running at full speed without pain for several weeks and feels great.
Ill be ready in 2010. Be there, its going to be a show, he said, according to the New York Post. I can do everything I did before on the field … I cant wait to hit a triple.
Reyes was hampered last season by what was at first believed to be tendinitis in his right calf, which forced him out of a game against the Atlanta Braves in May. The injury was later diagnosed as a torn right hamstring tendon.
Reyes tried to get back on the field, but pulled his hamstring muscle in August while trying to return and wound up watching most of the Mets disappointing 2009 season on television. New York, hampered by numerous injuries in stumbling to a 70-92 record, sorely missed Reyes speed on the bases and run production — he has averaged 62 steals and 113 runs scored per season.
It was tough, man, Reyes told SNY, the Mets television network. Even when I was in my house watching the games, it made me cry a lot of times because when Im talking about my leg, it always was in pain last year. The pain really never goes away. It was kind of tough for me and my family.
During the offseason, Reyes had surgery to remove scar tissue from around the hamstring tendon and then worked to get his hamstring muscle back into shape.
The results were on display Monday, as Reyes ran 10-yard and 90-yard sprints at full speed as part of his workout.
I feel great, Reyes said, according to the Post. Last year I came back too quickly. Everything is in the past. I dont want to think about it. Now there is no pain. Thats the key. There is nothing to worry about. Everythings perfect.
