NEW YORK — Jose Reyes made an unsteady return to the New York lineup Saturday, with a base hit that nearly spurred a ninth-inning rally and an error at shortstop that nearly cost the Mets a run.
"I was a little anxious," Reyes admitted afterward.
He was sidelined all but 36 games last year by a hamstring problem, then missed most of spring training with a hyperactive thyroid.
Hyperactive might be a good way to describe him in the clubhouse before the game.
Reyes bounced around the room with an enormous smile on his face, joking with anybody who stopped by his locker to wish him luck. After taking batting practice, he was greeted in the dugout by general manager Omar Minaya, who gave him a big hug.
"I was thinking about that this morning, it's been almost a year, 11 months, since he's been on the field," Minaya said. "It's nice to have him back."
Reyes had his lone hit leading off the ninth inning, but was stranded at third when Rod Barajas hit a liner that Nationals outfielder Willie Harris snared with a diving grab. The catch preserved the Nationals' 4-3 victory.
Lowell ponders retirement
Boston's Mike Lowell, who lost his job at third base to free-agent Adrian Beltre this spring, said this could be his final season as a big leaguer.
Lowell told reporters last night before making his first start of the year against Kansas City that he still had not decided for certain but was leaning toward retirement. The 11-year veteran underwent surgery on his right thumb Dec. 30, and the Red Sox signed Beltre. He has not tried to hide his displeasure at not being the starter.
Among major leaguers with 1,000 at-bats, Lowell is the all-time leader with a .974 fielding percentage at third base. He's also the only third baseman to hit at least 25 doubles for 10 straight seasons.
O's Roberts sits
Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts was held out of last night's game against Toronto with an abdominal strain, an injury that could land the two-time All-Star on the 15-day disabled list.
Roberts was hurt Friday, when he stole second base in the first inning of a 7-6 loss to the Blue Jays. Roberts stayed in the game long enough to score, but did not return.
Roberts was held out of batting practice yesterday. He was replaced in the starting lineup by Julio Lugo.
Ausmus makes first DL trip
Los Angeles Dodgers backup catcher Brad Ausmus is on the disabled list for the first time in his 17-year major-league career.
The Dodgers made the move yesterday because Ausmus has a pinched nerve in his back. He's expected to be sidelined only as long as the 15-day stint on the DL.
A.J. Ellis was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque and will catch knuckleballer Charlie Haeger today against the Marlins so the Dodgers can give Russell Martin a day off.
The move was retroactive to Friday. Ausmus, who turns 41 on Wednesday, is tied for seventh on the all-time list in games behind the plate.
Dice-K sharp in rehab start
Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka allowed two hits and no runs in five innings yesterday as he began a 30-day rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket.
Matsuzaka has been on Boston's disabled list since April 3 with a neck strain. He walked one, struck out three and hit two batters against Rochester.
He threw 43 of 73 pitches for strikes and reached 93 mph on the McCoy Stadium radar gun.
Yanks' Hughes tunes up
New York Yankees fifth starter Phil Hughes allowed one run and six hits over six innings in an extended spring training intrasquad game yesterday.
It was the second and final extended spring game for Hughes, who will make his first regular-season start Thursday against the Los Angeles Angels.
Hughes says he's "absolutely ready."
Hughes struck out six, throwing 56 of 84 pitches for strikes.
