It's been a tough start to 2010 for Mets SS Jose Reyes.
Jose Reyes Sidelined With Thyroid Issue, Will Return To New York For Tests
First, he had to answer questions from federal investigators about his involvement with shady Canadian sports doctor Tony Galea.
Now, he’s headed to New York to undergo additional blood tests after previous testing conducted in Florida revealed that Reyes had a thyroid imbalance, the team announced today.
Reyes will take the tests on Monday; the results aren’t expected for at least two days. Reyes is not expected to take part in any physical activity while he is gone.
Reyes was initially cleared to play by team doctors on Friday, after a follow-up blood test to the initial blood exam he took during his physical was conducted. But GM Omar Minaya said team doctors in New York wanted to take a closer look at Reyes’ thyroid and he was pulled out of pre-game stretching today.
The thyroid is a gland in the neck that produces hormones and helps control metabolism.
If Reyes is sidelined for a significant amount of time because of the thyroid issue, it would be a crushing blow to the Mets. The team needs Reyes’ speed in the lineup, particularly for games at Citi Field, which isn’t exactly a homer-friendly park.
Reyes told reporters in Florida that he felt fine and was eager to get to the bottom of his thyroid issue.
"We're not talking about my leg, nothing like that, we're talking about my health," he said, "so I have to be concerned about it."
Reyes played in just 36 games last year because of a recurring hamstring injury. He went to Galea, the Canadian doctor under federal investigation for drug violations, for treatment on his torn right hamstring in September.
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