Jose Reyes was teammates with the father, and beginning Tuesday he will get to play against the son.
Ronald Acuna Jr., the Braves’ stud outfield prospect, will be on display for the next three games at Citi Field, leaving Reyes to feel older than his 34 years. To Reyes it seems like just yesterday he and Ronald Acuna Sr. were trying to emerge in the Mets’ farm system. The two played together in 2001-02, with the senior Acuna getting as far as Double-A Binghamton.
The younger Acuna, 20, signed with the Braves as an international free agent in 2014 and is regarded among the game’s top prospects. The Braves promoted Acuna last week, making him the youngest player in the major leagues. Acuna is 8-for-19 (.421) with one homer and four RBIs in five games.
“An unbelievable talent,” said Reyes, who planned to spend Monday’s off day with Acuna Jr. in New York. “He is going to be a superstar in this game for a long time.”
The Mets did not release further information on Yoenis Cespedes, who was expected to receive an evaluation Monday on his left thumb. Cespedes departed Sunday’s game after jamming the thumb while stealing third base. Initial X-rays were negative.
A team official said general manager Sandy Alderson will address Cespedes’ situation during his regular press conference that precedes each homestand.
Jeurys Familia is expected to rejoin the team Tuesday after missing Sunday’s game to attend a memorial service for his father-in-law, who died last week. Familia was not placed on the bereavement list.