Ruben Tejada back with Mets years after landmark injury
ATLANTA — The game stopped for a few minutes as Ruben Tejada remained on the infield dirt.
"And now we check on Tejada," play-by-play man Ernie Johnson said when Dodger Stadium finally quieted down some.
The night was Tejada's last moment as a Met – until the team recalled him Wednesday from Class AAA Syracuse to replace Jeff McNeil, who was placed on the 10-d injured list with a mild left hamstring strain confirmed by an MRI.
Four years ago, Tejada was entrenched with the Mets as they made their postseason run. But Game 2 of the NLDS marked the end of the road for Tejada.
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Second baseman Daniel Murphy tracked down a ground ball that rolled behind second base, then flipped to Tejada, who covered second. Tejada took a small step to touch the bag, then turned and began to spin in hopes of making an acrobatic throw to first base to complete a double play.
That's when Chase Utley, still a villain to Mets fans, took out Tejada.
“Tejada looked like a receiver coming over the middle, having his feet knocked out from under him from a defensive back," Johnson narrated. "Check this one out."
There were many replays on the broadcast, and much debate ensued. Utley did not touch the bag with his slide. He went to the right side of the bag and into Tejada, who looked to intentionally take a wide turn in hopes of avoiding a potential slide.
Tejada was carted off after suffering a broken leg.
“It took a lot to take it out of my head, because it’s a hard moment," Tejada, now 29, said on Wednesday. "It was a hard moment, but finally I (turned) the page. I feel really good, healthy and 100 percent with that leg."
Tejada has not spoken to Utley since. He's tried to forget the gruesome details of the injury, just as most would.
He had torn it up in the minors prior to Wednesday. Between Classes AA and AAA, Tejada slashed .337/.412/.486. His .898 OPS is by far his highest for any year in his career, though posted in the minor leagues.
There will be excitement for the latest Mets reunion – in May, the team called up Carlos Gómez – but the circumstances could be devastating. In his first stint with the organization, from 2010-15, Tejada hit .255/.330/.323.
The Mets cut him in spring training in 2016.
"It surprised me, but I can’t do anything with that," Tejada said. "They made that decision, so I had to keep doing my job … It’s over, so now is an opportunity to come here and help the team win."
Callaway said the Mets expect to start Tejada against lefties and Joe Panik against righties. But he added that could change and they would be flexible. With a few lefties lined up for opponents, Tejada will get some early run.
By the way he spoke, it is evident The Play is not a memory Tejada enjoys reliving, understandably. But he's with the club once again and has an opportunity to help the Mets do something special down the stretch.
“They gave me the opportunity for the first time," Tejada said. "I’m back here to do my job. They’re in a good race right now, so I’ll try to help the team get there."