Mets' long wait for injured Reyes comes to an end

The second baseman was activated Saturday and inserted into the lineup.
COMBINED DISPATCHES
NEW YORK -- The Mets' long wait for Jose Reyes ended Saturday when New York activated its second baseman following three months of injuries.
Reyes was in the starting lineup at second base, batting second against the Detroit Tigers. He arrived at Shea Stadium at 1 p.m., six hours before the first pitch.
"It's like old times," Reyes said as he looked around the clubhouse. "I am so happy to get here."
Reyes' troubles began when he strained his right hamstring in a spring training game March 14. His rehabilitation was painstakingly slow, and he had several setbacks.
Finally, the Mets hired hamstring experts to alter Reyes' running style. After that, back pain kept him out.
All that was forgotten Saturday.
"Today is a little exciting for me," Reyes said as he prepared to play his first game of the season.
Changed running style
A speedy switch-hitter, the 21-year-old Reyes has pulled the same hamstring three times in the last two seasons. He said he changed his running style to put less stress on his hamstring.
"It's almost the same way I've run my whole life," he said.
Reyes was a major part of the Mets' grand plan last winter when they switched him from shortstop to second base and signed Japanese free agent Kaz Matsui to play shortstop.
Matsui was hurt early in spring training and then Reyes went down, so the two never got to play in a game together.
"I've waited a long time to play with Kaz," Reyes said. "I'll try to have fun with Kaz in the field."
Mets manager Art Howe was excited by the prospects of finally having the winter plan in place, 67 games into the season.
"It's nice to write his name in the lineup," the manager said. "I told him to do what he can, don't try to do extra. I know the adrenaline will be flowing tonight."
To make room for Reyes, the Mets designated catcher Tom Wilson for assignment.
Giants
SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Giants are tired of all the walks Barry Bonds is drawing this season.
The club will begin selling orange rubber chickens named "Walk'er" on Monday, when the Giants open a four-game series against division rival Los Angeles.
The chickens -- described as "your average fowl" -- will sell for $10, with proceeds going to the Giants Community Fund.
Their purpose? "To officially protest the number of intentional walks at SBC Park," the Giants said.
Entering Saturday's game against the Boston Red Sox, Bonds had drawn a major league-leading 94 walks in 57 games, 51 intentional.
Expos
MIAMI -- A group hoping to permanently bring the Montreal Expos to Puerto Rico submitted a bid to buy the team.
Miami attorney Scott Shapiro said Saturday he sent the group's proposal to baseball commissioner Bud Selig on Friday.
The new proposal probably comes too late for baseball to give it much consideration. Selig hopes to decide on a permanent home for the team next month. Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia appear to be the leading candidates.
The Expos, owned by the other 29 major league clubs, are playing 22 "home" games in Puerto Rico for the second consecutive season in an effort to boost revenue.
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.