Jose Reyes knows he might get booed and heckled. He understands why.
Back from suspension, the Colorado Rockies shortstop was in uniform for Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday but the team’s game against Fresno was rained out. He will have to wait a day for the first game of his rehab assignment after completing his 59-day suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s new domestic violence policy.
”As a human being, sometimes you’re going to make a mistake. I made a mistake,” Reyes told reporters in Albuquerque, New Mexico, before the game. ”I had to deal with it as a grown man. But you have to learn from the mistake you make. Right now, I’m happy to be back on the field and doing what I love to do – play baseball.
”My family is very happy to see me in this situation playing baseball again and continue my career. That’s the most important thing for me, put everything in the past and go forward.”
Reyes realizes his return to the field could generate a fair amount of boos as he attempts to repair his image. He did not participate in spring training and was suspended through May 31 after being charged with domestic violence for an altercation with his wife in Hawaii last October. Prosecutors dropped the charge ahead of a scheduled April 4 trial, saying Reyes’ wife was not cooperating.
Just how long Reyes will be with the Isotopes remains uncertain.
According to Major League Rule 9, a position player can spend a maximum period of 20 days on a minor league rehab assignment. But the agreement in which Reyes accepted the suspension specified his minor league assignment will be limited to a maximum 14 days.
As for what happens when his rehab assignment wraps up – whether he will be added to the Rockies’ roster, traded or designated for assignment – he hasn’t given it much thought.
”Take this day by day and try to get ready as soon as possible,” Reyes said. ”Get my body in baseball shape and try to go from there. It’s the only thing I can control.”
While he’s been away, rookie Trevor Story has become entrenched at shortstop in Colorado. Story was hitting .260 with 14 homers and 36 RBIs.
”Trevor has been unbelievable. That’s good to see,” Reyes said. ”I’m going to work on every aspect of my game and go from there.”
Reyes joined the Isotopes after working out at extended spring training in Scottsdale, Arizona, the past few weeks. It wasn’t the same as seeing this level of pitching.
His last major league game was Oct. 4 at San Francisco, when he went 0 for 5. He hit .259 with the Rockies last season after being acquired in a six-player trade from Toronto on July 28.
Last Oct. 31, Reyes was arrested at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea. According to a recording of a 911 call released by police, a hotel security guard reported the woman had injuries to her leg and scratches on her neck.
Reyes was released after posting $1,000 bail and was ordered to stay away from his wife for three days. He pleaded not guilty to abusing a family or household member.
”It’s been tough,” Reyes said. ”For now, it’s a lot better for me that I’m going to start doing what I love to do, which is playing baseball. I was missing this for a couple of months. Now I’m able to continue my career. The other stuff, try to put in the past and continue my career.”
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