Reyes asks for second chance in return to Mets

For Jose Reyes, arriving at Citi Field on Tuesday to begin his second tenure with the New York Mets was a special moment.

"As soon as I got in the parking lot, it was a different feeling," Reyes told reporters. "Like, 'Wow, I can't believe I'm here again.'

"It feels like I'm home."

The infielder, long a fan favorite in Queens, will make his debut with the club Tuesday after completing his rehab stint. He'll be leading off and playing third base while wearing his familiar No. 7, which was given to him by catcher Travis d'Arnaud, who switched to No. 18.

Reyes sounded prepared to accept that his return isn't exactly a warm and fuzzy homecoming. He was cut by the Colorado Rockies earlier this month following his 52-game suspension for a domestic violence arrest in October, and the fact that he was given a job by the Mets so quickly has rankled many around baseball. The 33-year-old acknowledged that some people aren't happy to see him playing again, while also repeating his plea for a second chance to show he's changed.

"I know there are some people who are going to hate me," Reyes said. "I understand that. I put myself in that situation, like I've said before. But people who know me from the bottom of their heart, they know I'm not that kind of person. I'm a human being. Human beings make mistakes. Nobody is perfect. You have to learn from the mistakes."

Reyes then added that he's committed to being a "better man, better husband, (and) better daddy."

As for where the natural shortstop will play, Reyes sounded quite willing to embrace a utility role with the team. He's only played 43 big-league games at a position other than shortstop, all of them coming at second base in his second season.

"When you go home to your house, it doesn't matter where you sleep," Reyes explained.