Jose

Reyes

The 37-year-old was one of the more exciting players in the game early in his career, making four All-Star teams and putting up a few 5-WAR seasons. Reyes wound up playing 16 seasons (12 with the Mets) and finishes his career with a .283/.334/.427 batting line, 145 home runs and 517 stolen bases.

That said, Reyes told manager Art Howe he was ready to return Saturday. Howe instead kept him out through the weekend, and hasn’t indicated a plan for his return.

“He’s still feeling pain when he puts pressure on his legs,” manager Art Howe said. Whether Reyes can return this season or not, it won’t be this week on the turf in Montreal.

When Kaz Matsui comes back, he’ll be at second base, giving the Mets an early jump on next season’s double-play combo.

Both Reyes and Kaz Matsui will be in the Mets’ lineup as they look at their middle infield plans for next season.

Reyes tried running yesterday and felt something in the area of the stress fracture in his left fibula, but hoped to return shortly.

“I still feel it a little bit, but not that bad,” Reyes said. He should be able to return later this month.

“When you have a talent like Jose,” GM Omar Minaya said, “you have to commit to that talent.” Minaya didn’t say that Reyes was untouchable, but he doesn’t seem likely to give him up for high-priced talent.

Phillips says the situation is not about a need with the Mets -- and they do have a need at shortstop, with Rey Sanchez making people long for Rey Ordonez -- but says it’s about Reyes, who just isn’t ready yet. Phillips believes the same about pitcher Aaron Heilman, who is 3-1 with a 2.05 ERA for Triple-A Norfolk.

Mackie Shilstone evaluated Reyes for three days and hoped to keep around for two additional two-week periods, but Reyes wasn’t interested. ''He chose none of the above,’' Shilstone said. ''We didn’t get to put all the pieces together. So I can’t sit here and tell you the deficits are gone. I think the jury’s out.’' Shilstone surmised that Reyes, following the partial plan he was given by Shilstone, began feeling better and thus assumed he was healthy. ''I played the whole season in winter ball with no problem,’' Reyes said. ''I do a lot of different things - running, fielding, stretching - and I no feel nothing. So I can’t wait to get started in spring training.’' Reyes needs to be looked at as one of the biggest injury risks among position players. His stolen base potential could make him worth taking a chance on in shallow mixed leagues, but those in NL-only leagues probably shouldn’t pay the price it will take to get him.