PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – Jose Reyes was admittedly nervous before the New York Mets’ intrasquad game Monday. He also said it felt a little weird when he stepped into the batter’s box in the first inning.

He put that uneasiness behind him in a hurry.

Reyes hit the first pitch from Tobi Stoner into the right-field corner for a two-run triple, coasting into third in his first game-like setting since he was sidelined for most of last season by an injured right leg.

“I just feel happy that I made it to third base with no problem, at that time,” a grinning Reyes said. “But like I said, there’s nothing to worry about. I feel good. No pain, pain-free. I feel good to be playing the game again.”

Reyes, a switch-hitting shortstop who has been in the leadoff spot for most of his career, batted third during the scrimmage. Manager Jerry Manuel is toying with the move, with All-Star center fielder Carlos Beltran expected to miss the start of the season following right knee surgery.

“I feel very confident that he can handle that,” Manuel said. “I think it gives us a great balance if we can pull that off.”

 

RED SOX: Boston claimed right-hander Casey Fien off waivers from Detroit and designated righty Gaby Hernandez for assignment.

Fien was 0-1 with a 7.94 ERA in nine games as a rookie with Detroit last year.

The Red Sox claimed Hernandez off waivers from Seattle last month. He spent all of last year with Triple-A Tacoma.

 

RANGERS: Outfielder Josh Hamilton was scratched from the first intrasquad game because of a bruised left shoulder.

Hamilton had been scheduled to play left and bat third. Rangers Manager Ron Washington said he is not concerned about the injury at this point, but would be if it keeps Hamilton out for “another four or five days.”