NEW YORK — The familiar clink of metal against wood echoed through the Mets clubhouse as veteran outfielder Jose Siri lined up a shuffleboard disc and gave it a confident push. The disc glided smoothly across the sanded surface, the soft scraping sound a brief distraction from the grind of recovery. Though the disc eventually toppled into the gutter, Siri’s smile never wavered. His focus, it was clear, is on much more than table games.
“I feel good, man,” Siri told NJ Advance Media with a grin, speaking about his recovery from a fractured tibia. “I started running and feel really good.”
The injury occurred on April 12 during a game against the Oakland Athletics. Siri fouled a ball off his left shin and immediately crumpled to the ground in visible pain. Days later, while the team was on the road in Minnesota, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed the diagnosis: a fractured tibia.
The news initially came with a daunting prognosis. Doctors anticipated Siri would need around two months to recover. But Siri, never one to back down from a challenge, is proving those projections wrong.
“Originally, they told me it would be two months, but everything is moving along very quickly,” Siri said in Spanish. “Now, I’m just working on regaining strength in my leg, but I’ve already started running. Tomorrow I’ll run again, and I’ll hit and play catch.”
Back at his locker after the shuffleboard game, Siri’s body language mirrored his optimism. He moved with a lightness that suggested his confidence wasn’t misplaced. He’s been putting in the work — not just to heal, but to return stronger.
Manager Mendoza confirmed the upbeat reports on Saturday ahead of the Mets’ game against the Chicago Cubs. “He’s definitely progressing a lot quicker than I was anticipating,” Mendoza said, clearly impressed with the veteran’s resilience and work ethic.
Siri’s determination has not gone unnoticed in the clubhouse. Despite being sidelined, he’s remained a steady presence, engaging with teammates and keeping the atmosphere light with his humor and upbeat energy. His playful competitiveness on the shuffleboard table reflects the same fiery spirit that’s fueled his on-field success.
What stands out most is Siri’s belief in his body and his refusal to be boxed in by standard medical timelines. While the Mets will undoubtedly remain cautious in managing his return, it’s clear that Siri is pushing the envelope — and doing so wisely.
“I’m listening to my body, and my body’s saying I’m ready soon,” Siri said, that ever-present smile spreading wider. “Give me a week or two.”
As Mets fans eagerly await his return, one thing is certain: Jose Siri is racing the clock — and he’s winning.
