Mets sign Jose Reyes to free agent deal
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Shortstop Jose Reyes will return to the New York Mets, the team announced Saturday.
Reyes, 33, became a free agent at 1 p.m. Saturday after being designated for assignment by the Rockies. The Mets announced the move shortly afterward. He was let go by Colorado after completing a suspension for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy.
Reyes will go on assignment to Single A Brooklyn before joining the club and will likely spend a week in the minors, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
“As I have expressed in the past, I deeply regret the incident that occurred and remain remorseful and apologetic to my family,” Reyes said in a statement. “I have completed the counseling required by MLB, have been in ongoing therapy, and will continue with counseling g”ing forward. I appreciate the Mets organization for believing in me and providing the opportunity to come back home to New York.”
“We are convinced that Jose has accepted responsibility for his actions and their consequences and have confirmed he is taking steps beyond those prescribed by MLB, including ongoing counseling, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said in a statement. “Accordingly, we believe he deserves a second chance to return to our organization.”
The Mets originally signed Reyes out of the Dominican Republic in 1999 and he played for the organization through 2011, when he left to sign a lucrative six-year contract with the Marlins. He was traded to the Blue Jays in 2012 and the Rockies in July 2015.
He was arrested Oct. 31 following a physical altercation with his wife at a resort in Hawaii, allegedly grabbing her by the throat and pushing her into a sliding-glass door. Domestic abuse charges were dropped in April, and Reyes was suspended without pay through May 31 by MLB.
Reyes hit .303 in nine games at Triple A Alberquerque after his suspension. He was placed on waivers Thursday with the Rockies responsible for paying off the majority of the remaining $39 million on his deal.
ESPN reports Reyes could bat leadoff and fill a variety of roles in the field for the Mets.
