The Mets are discussing internally whether to bring back Jose Reyes, their hometown star turned persona non grata, an industry source confirmed.

Newsday’s David Lennon and Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal first reported the Mets’ potential interest in Reyes, 33, whom the Rockies designated for assignment last week.

While the Mets’ shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera has played adequately and Reyes has played only shortstop since 2005, he could conceivably help at other infield positions.

This wouldn’t constitute a mere baseball decision, however. Reyes served a 53-game suspension to start the 2016 campaign because he was found guilty of violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence program during a reported argument with his wife last fall. Colorado opted to jettison Reyes, even though he’s owed approximately $38 million through next year, because it has a successful rookie shortstop in Trevor Story and didn’t want to deal with the distraction that Reyes might create.

Reyes should clear waivers and, as long as the Rockies don’t find a team willing to trade for him, can become a free agent Saturday.



Furthermore, Reyes played poorly last year in a combined 116 games for the Blue Jays and Rockies, tallying a .274/.310/.378 slash line and serving as a defensive liability. He did produce a decent season for the 2014 Blue Jays, going .287/.328/.398, so it’s not unreasonable to think he might have something left offensively. In nine games with Triple-A Albuquerque before the Rockies let him go, Reyes went .303/.425/.485. He might need to sign a minor-league pact and re-prove himself in order to get back to the big leagues.

Reyes, of course, left the Mets after the 2011 season, signing a six-year, $106 million contract with the Marlins. His lack of no-trade protection in that deal hurt him as Miami swapped him to Toronto after just one season. Then the Jays dispatched Reyes to the Rockies last July as part of a package for Troy Tulowitzki.