El Pasoan Omar Quintanilla Returns To Major Leagues With New York Mets

You might say that Omar Quintanilla is the best insurance policy the New York Mets have. When injuries to starting shortstop Ruben Tejada and reserve infielder Ronny Cedeno forced the Mets to call up the Socorro High School star last year, he immediately started producing in their absence. This year it's the same story. Quintanilla was summoned back to the big leagues Thursday after the Mets placed Tejada on the DL with a strained right quadriceps injury. In almost a replay of last season, the El Pasoan has once again produced offensively New York. In his first four games back in the big leagues, Quintanilla is hitting .500 (7 for 14) with a home run. The only downside is that he has made three errors, something uncharacteristic of a ballplayer known more for his glove than his bat. Mets manager Terry Collins is batting him leadoff, and already told the New York media that Quintanilla could steal the starting shortstop job away from Tejada if he produces. This weekend was definitely a good start for him, but the Mets did get swept by an awful Miami Marlins team.