NEW YORK -- José Reyes, whose initial Mets tenure was fraught with injuries and frequent trips to the disabled list, is dealing with another malady less than three weeks into his return to New York.
Reyes suffered a Grade 1 left intercostal strain in Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Cardinals, and he will be "out for a couple days," manager Terry Collins said after the Mets' 3-1 win in Game 2. Reyes traveled to Manhattan's Hospital for Special Surgery during Game 2 for an MRI, which revealed the strain.
Reyes' results have been mixed since rejoining the Mets earlier this month. He is hitting for power, with three home runs and a .493 slugging percentage in 16 games, but is reaching base at just a .278 clip. Reyes has also provided mostly stellar defense at third base, his primary position since his return.

Even if Reyes' absence winds up being brief, it should provide some extra playing time for Wilmer Flores, who is batting .329 since June 24, but has started just five of the Mets' last 15 games. Flores went 3-for-4 with a run scored in Game 2 of the doubleheader, starting at third base in place of Reyes.
"I come every day here ready to play," Flores said. "It doesn't matter what the lineup's going to be. I come every day ready to play."
After Reyes sustained his injury, infielder Dilson Herrera was scratched from Triple-A Las Vegas' game in Fresno, hinting at a possible callup if Reyes misses significant time.