NewYork.Mets.com

By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com

Jose Reyes returns after missing two games with a sprained right ankle. (Francois Roy/AP)

"It's still a little sore but it's good enough to play," Reyes said. "It's not all okay but I told Art that I want to play."

Howe didn't hesitate to stick Reyes back atop the lineup. Reyes was hitting .270 with 12 stolen bases though Howe wasn't sure how much Reyes would be looking to steal his first night back.

"I told him he has to be able to run the bases and play his position but he doesn't necessarily have to be stealing bases," Howe said. "But we're definitely a different team with him in the lineup. If we stay healthy at the top of the order, we can score some runs. We have guys who can fill the void Wiggy [Ty Wigginton] left."

Reyes went 0-for-4 with a strikeout on Saturday night. He had three assists and a putout on the field.

Seo long: Neither Howe nor Duquette would rule out the possibility of Jae Seo returning to the Mets in some capacity later this season. Duquette added that while there was some interest from other clubs in Seo, he didn't expect a deal.

"Jae needs to develop a better breaking ball," Howe said. "He uses the breaking ball from time to time but not enough. Maybe he doesn't have confidence in it. He needs a breaking ball that goes the other way. He shows a decent one at times but he needs the confidence to use it.

"He needs to control his emotions better, too. When you have bad body language, it isn't going to help you out there. A large number of umpires don't appreciate it."

Howe also said Seo's velocity was down from last year.

Jae Weong Seo  /   P
		Born: 05/24/77 Height: 6'1" Weight: 215 lbs Bats: R / Throws: R More info: Player page Stats | Splits Gallery Team Site | Shop

Minor musings: The fallout from Friday's dealings had a trickledown effect that reached all the way to the Mets Class A St. Lucie affiliate in the Florida State League. Binghamton needed a pair of pitchers to fill the void left by the departure of Matt Peterson and Scott Kazmir so St. Lucie hurlers Brian Bannister and Orlando Roman were promoted. Bannister, son of former Major Leaguer Floyd Bannister, is the crucial cog there. A poised and polished righty, he was a seventh-round pick last year out of USC. He was 5-7 with a 4.24 ERA in 20 starts for St. Lucie and was expected to start Saturday night for the B-Mets. Catcher Joe Hietpas was also promoted from St. Lucie.

This and that: Outfielder Shane Spencer was designated for assignment in order to make room on the 40-man roster for Gerald Williams. Duquette said the move was related to the action took the other day in suspending Spencer. He added that he has a few calls out in terms of trade possibilities but hasn't got any returned. ... Cliff Floyd extended his homerless streak to 66 at-bats. ... Ricky Bottalico changed to uniform No. 20 so Kris Benson could have 34. Victor Zambrano will wear 38. Howe said Zambrano would likely start Thursday. ... Howe also said that Mike Piazza would see even more action behind the plate, meaning extra playing time at first for Eric Valent against right-handers. ... Duquette will wait until Benson starts a few games before entering into negotiations to resign the right-hander. ... Cuban defector Alay Soler is on the verge of signing and should be in Port St. Lucie before too long. ... Mets fourth and fifth starters are now 6-16 with a with a 5.82 ERA in 41 starts after Benson's effort Saturday night. ... Mike Piazza took a Benson wild pitch off his right index finger in the fifth inning. He stayed in the game until the bottom of the seventh, when Vance Wilson replaced him. He said his finger was fine and that he would be good to go Sunday. ... Kaz Matsui also left the game after grounding out in the sixth inning. He was still bothered by the bruised right ankle he suffered Friday night, but said he would come to the park with the intention of playing Sunday. ... The Mets were shut out for the fifth time this season. Mike Stanton appeared in his 58th game. ... New York fell to five games under .500 (49-54) for the first time since June 12.

Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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