By Matt Snyder

Mets shorstop Jose Reyes may have been on his way to an MVP season, but he has been placed on the disabled list twice with hamstring issues. He's nearly recovered from his second bout with the hammy issue, because he will reportedly start a rehab assignment at Double-A Binghamton Thursday. He's expected to play three or four games before being activated from the DL (ESPN New York via Twitter), meaning he should be back in the lineup before September.

Reyes will obviously boost the Mets' offense, but his return to the field is interesting for a different reason. The Mets are 15 games out in the NL Wild Card race, so they won't be figuring in postseason play, barring a miracle stretch even the Rockies haven't pulled off. Reyes will, however, be a free agent at the conclusion of the season. Should he stay healthy and close the month of September on a strong note, he'll command a pretty huge salary on the free agent market. If he injures himself again -- especially if he hurts his hamstring again -- it will cost him millions.

Reyes, 28, is one of the most dynamic players in baseball when he's healthy. He has speed, some power and an enthusiasm for the game that makes him easy to root for. He's hitting .336/.377/.507 with 34 steals and 80 runs in 98 games and is still leading the majors with 16 triples.

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By Matt Snyder

The Mets announced Monday afternoon they have officially placed star shortstop Jose Reyes on the disabled list with a strained hamstring. As a corresponding move, Mike Baxter has been promoted from Triple-A Buffalo. Reyes is expected to miss two to three weeks.

Reyes, 28, is set to be a free agent at the end of this season and appeared in for a huge payday, but his second hamstring injury likely lessens the market for him a bit.  He's leading the majors in triples (16) and the NL in runs (80) and average (.336). Injuries, however, have been a concern with Reyes since 2008 and there aren't many teams that go throwing around five- or six-year contracts with injury-prone players.

Baxter, 26, is a Queens native. The Mets claimed the outfielder off waivers from the Padres on July 22. He was hitting .256/.341/.436 in 11 games before being recalled.

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By C. Trent Rosecrans

Mets shortstop Jose Reyes left Sunday's game against the Braves in the second inning with what the team is calling "stiffness in the left hamstring," and later saw Daniel Murphy helped off the field after suffering a knee injury.

While Reyes' diagnosis is still unknown, Murphy will miss the rest of the season with a tear of the MCL, Peter Botte of the New York Daily News reports. Murphy will not need surgery, but will need a minimum of four months to recover from the injury. 

Reyes was replaced by pinch-hitter Willie Harris in the bottom of the second. Harris singled in a run and stayed in the game at second base, moving Justin Turner from second to shortstop. Turner committed an error in his first inning in the field, missing the catch on a double play attempt with one out in the top of the third.

Murphy was hurt in the seventh inning as Braves rookie Jose Constanza ran into him on a stolen base. X-rays were negative on Murphy's left, but both he and Reyes received an MRI for their injuries.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Murphy's injury was "significant" and would be put on the disabled list.

"He was in a lot of pain. He just said, 'Get me off the field,' that's all he kept saying, 'Just get me off the field,'" manager Terry Collins said, according to the Associated Press.

The Mets used outfielder Scott Hairston at second base for an inning and David Wright at shortstop late in the game.

Reyes grounded out in the first inning, but there was no obvious problem with the hamstring. It's the same injury that put him on the disabled list last month, causing him to miss the All-Star Game. Two years ago a right hamstring injury limited him to just 36 games in 2009.

Since his return, he's hit just .256/.272/.385 with two homers and four stolen bases, two of his stolen bases came in Saturday's victory.

Reyes will be the premier free agent this offseason, but his re-signing the with the Mets has been a soap opera since early in the season began when Fred Wilpon told the New Yorker that Reyes would demand "Carl Crawford money" as a free agent but won't get it because, "He's had everything wrong with him."

Reyes, 28, played in 153 or more games from 2005-2008, but played in just 36 in 2009 and 133 last season. This season he's played in 98 of the team's 112 games, not including Sunday's game. His health will certainly be questioned as he hits the free-agent market. Reyes has indicated he'd like to stay with the Mets, and the Mets would like to have him, it's just the money will be a sticking point, as it always is.

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By C. Trent Rosecrans

I know this may seem like a dead horse, but I'm still dismayed at the relative silence around Jim Thome's impending 600th home run. He hit homer No. 598 last night and it seems like it was greeted by crickets. My colleague Matt Snyder wrote about this a couple of weeks ago after I touched on it, so it may seem redundant, but is it any more redundant that the constant (and deserved) fawning over Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit?

I've said all this before, but it just feels like it needs repeating -- Thome will soon become just the eighth player in baseball history to hit 600 home runs. So why is it being overlooked?

Is it because the steroid era has devalued home run totals?

Is it because the next guys on the list are Sammy Sosa and Alex Rodriguez? And the guy atop the list is Barry Bonds?

Is it because Thome isn't a Yankee?

Is it because after 12 years in Cleveland, he's moved around, playing for the Phillies, White Sox, Dodgers and Twins?

Is it because the bulk of his productive years were in Cleveland?

Is it because he's no longer an everyday player?

Is it because there were two weeks between homer No. 595 and 596 and then another two weeks until No. 597? 

Is it because Thome has done it relatively quietly, not drawing a lot of attention to himself, therefore not receiving a lot of attention?

Or am I totally off base and blowing this out of proportion?

It could be any one of those reasons or a good combination of all of them. It just seems to me, it's something that could and should be celebrated not just in Minnesota, but all over baseball. Thome now has 598 home runs and will soon have 600 -- I'm not saying they need to dig out the dirt from the batter's box after his 600th and sell the dirt in keychains (like they did for Jeter), but it should be something we watch, anticipate and celebrate.

The long and winding road: If you don't read every word that comes out of Chris Jones' computer, you're missing out. Canada's finest's most recent piece is on the strange journey of Giants pitcher Barry Zito. I can't recommend it enough. [Grantland]

Here today: Most are assuming that Jose Reyes will re-sign with the Mets this offseason, but not so fast say Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. Martino says the Mets are unlikely to give him the "Carl Crawford money" he is assumed to desire (and should be able to command). Apparently it's not just the money that the Mets are worried about, but also the number of years. The Mets aren't excited about giving the injury-prone Reyes seven years.

Get back: Ryan Zimmerman is back to his old form, even though he's been back on the field for nearly two months. Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post writes that it took a while to break up the scar tissue that resulted from his abdominal tear and is no longer experiencing the soreness that had him skipping his post game workouts. 

Let 'em in: Ozzie Guillen's time in Chicago just seems to be at a natural end -- the team has underperformed and everyone seems to be tired of the marriage. Guillen sounds like he's over managing the White Sox in this interview with MLB.com's Scott Merkin, while he tells Yahoo! (via the Miami Herald) that he'd go to the Marlins "with a lot of class," and that it'd be "an honor to manage the Marlins." With Florida moving into a new park next year, it seems like the natural fit -- and he could manage there until Jeffrey Loria loses his patience at the All-Star break next year.

Here today: Red Sox minor leaguer Brandon Jacobs has no regrets about his choice to bypass a football scholarship at Auburn to sign with the Red Sox. Jacobs was a prized running back at Parkview High School in suburban Atlanta, but was drafted by MLB -- and a $750,000 signing bonus later, he found himself on the diamond instead of the gridiron. The 20-year-old has 14 homers and 26 stolen bases at Class A Greenville (S.C.). Even though Auburn won the national championship last season, Jacobs said he watched the game and didn't feel a twinge of regret. An interesting note, Parkview is the alma mater of another prominent football player who skipped a scholarship to play baseball, the Royals' Jeff Francoeur. [Boston Globe]

It was 10 years ago tonight: The Hardball Times looks back at the Indians' rally from an 11-run deficit to beat the Marienrs on Aug. 5, 2001. One thing to keep in mind about that, the Mariners won 116 games -- if they hold a lead, it's 117, a record number of wins. The 1906 Cubs also won 116 (in 10 fewer games).

I've just seen a face: Can't get enough of of Kenta Imamura, the Ichiro impersonator? Well, you're in luck. Apparently Imamurua is a professional Ichiro impersonator and is nicknamed "Nicchiro" -- "ni" is Japanese for two. [Super Ichiro Crazy]

Maybe I'm amazed: A baseball signed by Joe DiMaggio and kissed by Marilyn Monroe sold for $59,750 on Thursday. The bidding started at $17,000 and quickly escalated. [New York Daily News]

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By Matt Snyder

Ah, late July. The perfect time of the year for people who love to talk trade rumors. What if Team X traded (insert huge name) to Team Y for (insert two or three middling prospects)? Man, Team X would win it all! While it's all in good fun, many of the rumors swirling aren't overly realistic. So, with that in mind, here's a handful of names that have come up that won't be on the move before next Monday.

1. James Sheilds, Rays. Last week, reports indicated the All-Star was being made available by the Rays, which instantly put Shields up there with Ubaldo Jimenez as the two most attractive starting pitching options on the market. In fact, you could argue Shields was more attractive, especially if he escaped the AL East and headed some place more pitcher-friendly. Monday, however, CBSSports.com's Danny Knobler reported that the Rays will not deal Shields. While he's arbitration eligible after this season, Shields doesn't hit free agency until 2013 and he's been the Rays' best pitcher this season. They are obviously planning on competing in 2012, so he's staying put.

MLB Trade Deadline

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2. Aramis Ramirez, Cubs. If Ramirez was available, he'd snag a pretty penny in return, as third base has become a pretty anemic offensive position. And he likely would be available, if it wasn't for his refusal to be traded -- at least before the non-waiver deadline. Ramirez has repeatedly, almost emphatically, told the media both personally and through his agent, that he will not waive his no-trade clause for any reason until August. He's done so enough, I believe him. He's going to be in a Cubs uniform come August 1.

3. Hunter Pence, Astros. He doesn't hit free agency until 2014 and the Astros reportedly believe him to be the face of the franchise. Someone would really have to bowl them over to get him -- think the haul the Rangers got for Mark Teixeira from the Braves. While Pence is good, is he really good enough to pay such a high price? At age 28, he's already in his prime and we're seeing what he can. He's a really, really good player. He's All-Star caliber, but not a superstar. The feeling here is there's no match and Pence stays in Houston.

4. Wandy Rodriguez, Astros. Rodriguez is owed $10.5 million next season and $13.5 million in 2013, with a club option for 2014 meaning the Astros would be asking a potential trade partner to take over $30 million in future salary along with Rodriguez, while coughing up a prospect package in return. Is Rodriguez worth it? He has a 3.60 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in 2010 and 2011 combined. He's also 32 years old. Several reports last week said the Astros wanted as much for Rodriguez as the Rockies did for Jimenez -- who is 27 and much cheaper. A major-league general manager recently told Jon Heyman of SI.com that "nobody's touching Wandy." I agree.

5. Keep Dreaming Tri-Entries: Matt Kemp, Dodgers; Jose Reyes, Mets and Felix Hernandez, Mariners. Apparently every season the Mariners aren't in contention, there will always be a group of people who can't let go of the Felix-to-Yankees talk. It ain't happening this year. Also, we've received a bevy of trade predictions and questions about Kemp on Twitter. While it's true the Dodgers are having financial troubles at this juncture, Kemp is an MVP candidate, part of the future nucleus and under team control through 2012. Dream on, people. He's staying in L.A. As for Reyes, it's been quite the whirlwind season. He went from being a sure thing to be traded to absolutely off the market to pretty likely to be retained. Having an MVP season will do that sort of thing. Hey, at least we were given the priceless "Carl Crawford money" line earlier this season by Mets owner Fred Wilpon.

It's funny, though, how fluid things can be around the deadline. Had we written this a week ago, Ubaldo Jimenez would have been on the list. Since then, however, it appears a few teams -- possibly the Reds and/or Yankees -- have chipped away at the Rockies, because reports now indicate it's a "50-50 chance" that Jimenez gets traded. So stay tuned. This post may have the shelf life of a Betamax -- at least in terms of Ramirez, Pence and Rodriguez. I don't not expect things to even come close to changing with Reyes, Kemp or Hernandez. Shields seems like a firm bet to stick as well.

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By Eye on Baseball team

Leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, the National League East has an actual race -- as well as a team with a bloated payroll and no hope -- which leads to a great chance of some pretty interesting trades to and from the division. Here's a look at the five teams in the NL Eeast:

Philadelphia Phillies

Status: Buyers

Needs: Bullpen, RH bat

Notes: Manager Charlie Manuel said he'd love a right-handed bat (Philadelphia Daily News), probably in the outfield, but this is the Phillies and expect the team to focus on pitching -- at least that's what history tells us. And because their rotation is pretty good (you may have heard about some of these guys), they focus on relievers, likely ending a streak of five years of adding a starter midseason. The team is likely one of the many suitors for Padres closer Heath Bell, although some suggest the Phillies prefer Mike Adams. Padres owner Jeff Moorad has reportedly told Adams he won't be traded. However, according to Tom Krasovic of Inside the Padres, the Phillies are willing to give up Class A first baseman/left fielder Jonathan Singleton in return for Adams.

Another bullpen trade partner could be the Orioles, CBSSports.com's Danny Knobler said. The Phillies could be interested in Jim Johnson or Koji Uehara.

MLB Trade Deadline

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As for the right-handed bats, the Phillies are in on the same folks everyone's chasing -- Ryan Ludwick, Carlos Beltran, Hunter Pence and maybe Jeff Francouer. The biggest hurdle of all for the Phillies is money, as in they've already spent it and they're worried about the luxury tax. The team has just between $2 and $3 million to spend and avoid the luxury tax.

According to Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com, the Phillies and Royals have already exchanged names in a possible Melky Cabrera trade. Cabrera is a cheaper, younger switch hitter for those who fall short in the Carlos Beltran sweepstakes.

Now, if they're going big and bold, Buster Olney of ESPN.com, tweeted the Phillies could go for Pence, centering the deal around right-hander Vance Worley.

Atlanta Braves

Status: Bargain shoppers

Needs: Right-handed bat

Notes: The Braves need a right-handed bat like Roy Halladay needs air conditioning. Atlanta looks like the front-runner for the National League wild card, but don't have much money to spend. The biggest issue right now for Atlanta is its inability to hit left-handed pitchers. Braves hitters are hitting just .211/.285/.337 against lefties, with Jason Heyward, Nate McLouth and Jordan Schafer all below the Mendoza line against southpaws. That's why Jon Paul Morosi's report of the Reds' Jonny Gomes drawing the interest of the Braves makes sense, Gomes kills lefties to the tune of a .340/.446/.547 slash line this season and .281/..377/.510 in his career. There's also the regular names such as Ludwick and Beltran.

To make room for more payroll, the team could trade right-hander Derek Lowe, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's David O'Brien wrote. The Tigers could be interested in Lowe, but would have to take up the rest of the $20 million he's owed through 2012.

New York Mets

Status: One-stop shopping

Needs: Young talent under team control; pitching

Notes: Outfielder Carlos Beltran is the top position player on the market, but his future is clouded by the number of teams that could use an upgrade in the outfield and the fact that he's not for sale, he's for rent. Whatever team gets him won't even get compensation picks if he leaves as a free agent after the season.

The Mets would reportedly rather pay Beltran's salary and get a good young player or top prospect in return. They could unload him to a team willing to pay the roughly $8 million left on his contract, but then they wouldn't get much in return. The Mets would prefer big-league ready pitching talent. New York seems confident it can re-sign Jose Reyes, meaning they're not ready to throw in the towel and go full-on rebuilding anytime soon. 

Beltran, however, does have a no-trade clause. According to Tim Brown of Yahoo!, Sandy Alderson gave Beltran a short list of teams interested -- the Phillies, Red Sox, Braves, Giants, Brewers and maybe the Yankees -- and Beltran hasn't ruled any of them out.

It's pretty certain now that the Mets won't deal Reyes, but it appears they may be holding on to Jason Isringhausen, too, Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman tweets.

Washington Nationals

Status: Listening to all offers

Needs: Leadoff man/center fielder of the future

Notes: The Nationals have pieces to deal -- from catcher Ivan Rodriguez to relievers Tyler Clippard, Drew Storen, Todd Coffey and Sean Burnett, plus starters Jason Marquis, Livan Hernandez and Tom Gorzelanny. In short, they're open for business, with GM Mike Rizzo saying no player is "untouchable" -- but then following that up with "we're not going to touch our core." That means, "after a while, they don't ask for [Danny] Espinosa," Rizzo told the Washington Post's Adam Kilgore. Ryan Zimmerman is also likely untouchable, as well as catcher Wilson Ramos.

One name to watch is shortstop Ian Desmond, but that would take quite the return for the team to move the 25-year-old.

More likely to go are some of the team's relievers. The Nats are deep in the bullpen and it's a position that's always in demand. The top tier would be Clippard or even Storen, but that would require Washington receiving a leadoff-hitting center fielder in return, someone like B.J. Upton, Michael Bourn, Colby Rasmus or Denard Span, FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal writes.

Florida Marlins

Status: Sellers

Needs: Third baseman, starting pitchers

Notes: The Marlins have starting pitchers that would interest many teams, but they may not part with them. Next year they rename themselves the Miami Marlins when they move into a new stadium and ownership would like a competitive team on the field when that happens.

Ricky Nolasco is the top starter to be had, but Knobler says they'd have to get a younger, cheaper starter in return for the 28-year-old right-hander.

The one the team may part with is Javier Vazquez, but it's not really their decision. Vazquez has a full no-trade clause and isn't in any hurry to leave South Florida. There are few places he'd accept a trade.

Sure to be gone is closer Leo Nunez. The Phillies are interested in Nunez. The other teams desperate for bullpen help -- like the Cardinals and Rangers -- are likely to at least inquire what it may take to get him.

Randy Choate has been verbal this week about his problems with current manager Jack McKeon and could get shipped off for not being a good soldier.

Also on the block are free-agents-to-be Greg Dobbs and Omar Infante. Infante's value is a lot less than it was a year ago.

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By Matt Snyder

Two NL East teams are bringing an All-Star off the disabled list Tuesday.

The Phillies have been without Shane Victorino since July 3, when he spraind his thumb. After a short rehab assignment, in which he felt "embarrassed" over a small gaffe, Victorino will re-join the Phillies lineup against the Cubs Tuesday night. Victorino brings multiple dimensions back to the Phillies, as he's a three-time Gold Glove center fielder who is hitting .303 with 14 doubles, nine triples, nine home runs, 53 runs and 13 steals. Earlier this month, he won the "Final Vote" for the second time, making him a two-time All-Star and the only person to win that particular vote twice.

Jose Reyes will also re-join his ballclub's lineup Tuesday, as the Mets square off against the Cardinals. The Mets' superstar shortstop was one of the best players in all of baseball for 2011 when he was sidelined with a hamstring injury July 2. He's hitting .354 with 16 triples, 30 steals and a .927 OPS. He's in line for a huge payday this coming offseason when he hits free agency, the only question is if it will be the Mets doing the paying. The Mets also get Carlos Beltran back in the lineup after missing a few games due to a pretty bad case of the flu, so they'll have a significantly stronger lineup than last time out.

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By Matt Snyder

The Mets appear to be getting their superstar shortstop back Tuesday. Monday, Jose Reyes played six innings in a rehab game in Class A and reports indicate he was running without an issue in his left hamstring (ESPN New York), which is what landed him on the disabled list July 3. He went 1-3 with a double and scored a run. Assuming Reyes wakes up Tuesday and isn't feeling anything in the hamstring, there's no reason for the Mets to avoid activating him for Tuesday night's game against the Cardinals.

Reyes, 28, is hitting .354 with 15 triples, 30 steals and a .927 OPS. He leads the majors in average and triples and the National League in hits. He will be a free agent after the season and has been the topic of chatter all season -- in terms of whether or not the Mets will trade him or be able to offer him a lucrative contract extension.

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