Reyes gets start at shortstop for injured Cabrera

Less than 24 hours into his second stint with the New York Mets, Jose Reyes returned to his familiar shortstop position Wednesday in place of Asdrubal Cabrera, who was scratched moments before the club's game against the Miami Marlins due to an undisclosed family issue.

To this point, it's been unclear how much, if at all, Reyes would play shortstop after missing the first 52 games of the season following a domestic violence suspension. Manager Terry Collins has indicated Reyes would see time at third base, where he played in Tuesday's season debut, and possibly the outfield.

Initially believed to be the result of ongoing knee soreness, the Mets said Cabrera was scratched Wednesday because a family illness kept him up all night. Wilmer Flores had been filling in at third for injured captain David Wright, who's expected to miss the rest of the season because of neck surgery.

Reyes' anticipated return to Queens was met with mixed results Tuesday after the former All-Star received a standing ovation and went hitless in the Mets' 5-2 loss.

"I was a little excited, a little nervous," Reyes said. "I felt like it was my first game in the big leagues."

His Citi Field reaction notwithstanding, Reyes' return to the Big Apple has been met with scorn from the New York tabloids and fans on social media. Following Tuesday's game, the New York Daily News' front page headline was "Cheers for a wife beater."

Reyes starred at shortstop during his previous stint with the Mets from 2003-2011, leading the league in stolen bases for three straight seasons and winning the batting title in his final year with the club.