Mets' Collins: Reyes will lead off when he's ready to go

Not only will Jose Reyes reunite with his old club, but the shortstop, who signed with the New York Mets on Saturday, will move into a familiar spot in the team's lineup.

Manager Terry Collins told reporters Saturday that Reyes, who signed a minor-league deal with the club, will be the lead-off hitter when he's ready to join the team.

"That foot speed, that athleticism, when he's ready to go, we know this guy can lead a game off," Collins explained. "I think he brings something to our team obviously we don't have here. We can move Curtis (Granderson) in a different role now if (Reyes) is in that lineup."

The 33-year-old is familiar with the lead-off spot, hitting in the position during 1,350 of the 1,562 games he's played in his career, posting a .292/.341/.435 slash line with 441 walks. The only part of the batting order where he's had more success is hitting seventh, although that came in a three-game sample size.

New York doesn't anticipate Reyes being in their lineup for 7-to-10 days, but, upon his return, current lead-off hitter Curtis Granderson will hit elsewhere in the order to allow him more RBI opportunities.

Granderson, who, like Reyes, has spent the majority of his career as a lead-off hitter, has varying degrees of success elsewhere, but has more pop in his bat than his new teammate.

"Curtis has done a tremendous job, but we can use Curtis in a different role if Jose is in that lineup," Collins said.