PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) -Jose Reyes returned to the New York Mets’ spring training complex Thursday disappointed by the Dominican Republic’s early exit from the World Baseball Classic.
The shortstop settled back into his locker inside the Mets clubhouse, took some pokes from teammates, then joined them for a workout prior to a game against the Florida Marlins.
“It’s disappointing with the great team we had to play just three games and lose in the first round, but it’s great to me because now I have time to come here and work and get ready for the season with my teammates,” Reyes said. “That’s good for me because you work there, but it’s not the same.”
The Dominican Republic was a favorite to win its first-ground group but was eliminated Tuesday with a second loss to the Netherlands. Among 16 Mets who left camp to play in the WBC, Reyes likely won’t see game action until Saturday, according to manager Jerry Manuel.
“Baseball is crazy sometimes,” Reyes said. “It’s hard to win a game when don’t get a big hit with runners in scoring position. … We had very good pitching. We just weren’t able to hit.”
ielder Fernando Tatis, who played first base for the Dominican in Game 1, also rejoined the Mets on Thursday.
“I don’t want to call back home,” Tatis said. “We are all over the place. People are very disappointed, and it’s not the right time now to talk to the Dominicans.”
Tatis was disappointed with the organization of the Dominican Republic team.
“How they get things done, I was not comfortable with that,” Tatis said. “I don’t like what I saw down there. The young guys do not get the same treatment as the big guys, and I don’t like that. If you are going to make a team, you’ve got to respect everybody like we are the same level.”
Tatis is happy to be back with the Mets.
“I know it was going to be fun there, but this is where I need to be, working and getting everything I need to get done to get ready for the season,” he said.
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