Mets put Jose Reyes on DL with oblique strain, sign Justin Ruggiano

NEW YORK -- Just when Jose Reyes was starting to hit a little for the New York Mets, he's headed to the disabled list for the 11th time in his career.

The Mets put Reyes on the 15-day DL Saturday, because of a strained left oblique muscle that makes it uncomfortable for him to bat right-handed. To take Reyes' spot on the roster, the Mets signed outfielder Justin Ruggiano, who is in the lineup for Saturday night's game against the Colorado Rockies.

Reyes hasn't played since Tuesday, so he'll be eligible to return from the DL in 12 days. Reyes and Mets manager Terry Collins both expressed hope he'll be able to come back that quickly.

"It is disappointing, because I want to be on the field," said Reyes, who missed the first three months of the season because he was serving a suspension for domestic violence.

Reyes was released by the Rockies after his suspension ended, and the Mets signed him June 25. He has just a .239 batting average in 16 games, but went 6-for-20 in the four games before he got hurt.

Ruggiano, who previously played in the major leagues with the Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers, played just one game this season after making the Texas Rangers roster out of spring training. Ruggiano played 44 games at Triple-A Round Rock, batting just .226, before the Rangers released him Tuesday.

"He plays hard and does damage against left-handed pitching," Collins said. "It's nice to have him here. Hopefully, he'll be a nice piece for us."

The Mets had a need for a right-handed hitting outfielder, especially one who could play center field, after losing Juan Lagares for six weeks with a thumb injury. Collins was familiar with Ruggiano from time the two spent together in the Dodgers' minor-league system.

"I've been wanting to play for Terry for a while now," Ruggiano said.

He'll be the 37th player used by the Mets this season, as they have dealt with a string of injuries. They currently have seven players on the disabled list.

Reyes has spent time on the DL each of the last four seasons, and seven of the last eight.