Mets 2B Easley could miss remainder of season

Sep 18, 2008 - 5:07 PM WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- New York Mets second baseman Damion Easley could miss the remainder of the season with a right quadriceps injury.

Easley, who was injured in the first game of a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, revealed Wednesday he may have suffered a small tear in the quadriceps. He also was unsure if he would be able to return this season.

'I don't know if that's true," Easley said. "I mean, anything is I guess possible. I know it's not going to be a hundred percent. At the same time I've got to get it past a walking stage. I feel it walking, sitting, getting up from sitting. Just the initial moves, just normal functions. Until I can get past that stage, it's useless trying to do anything."

Losing Easley would be another blow for Mets, who on Tuesday lost outfielder Fernando Tatis for the remainder of the season due to a separated shoulder.

Trying to avoid a September collapse for the second straight season, the Mets (84-67) have gone just 5-6 in their last 11 games to fall into second place in the National League East, one-half game behind Philadelphia (85-67).

Easley, who never has been to the playoffs in his 15-year career, is batting .272 with six homers and 44 RBI in 108 games this season.

In Easley's absence, light-hitting Argenis Reyes has been seeing time at second base. Mired in an 0-for-20 slump, Reyes is hitting just .225 in 44 games.