Mets special assistant J.P. Ricciardi reiterated Thursday that the front office is happy heading into the 2014 season with Ruben Tejada as their starting shortstop.

It's more of the same narrative that has been heard from the Mets this offseason, as they continue to downplay their interest in free agent Stephen Drew. While it's admirable that they continue to throw their support publicly in Tejada's direction, it's hard to believe that they are truly content with the 24-year-old shortstop and his .202/.259/.260 line from a season ago playing on a nightly basis.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson indicated that Ruben Tejada is more likely to open the 2014 season as the starting shortstop than he was "two months ago."

Alderson said essentially the same thing earlier this month, and it's starting to sound as though he's just trying to manufacture leverage out of thin air. It's well known that the Mets have soured on Tejada, so a scenario in which Tejada's name is in the Opening Day lineup should be considered a big loss for the Mets' brass, regardless of how aggressively Alderson would like to meddle with the narrative. New York would seem to match up very well as a trade partner with the freewheeling Diamondbacks, who employ a pair of promising shortstops in Chris Owings and Didi Gregorius. Alderson mentioned that "two or three teams are potential trade partners."

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson indicated Sunday that Ruben Tejada is likely to open the 2014 season as the starting shortstop.

The Mets could still upgrade the position, but don't appear to be interested in Stephen Drew, the top free agent option at the position. The 24-year-old Tejada was handed the job last season after an impressive 2012 campaign, but posted a brutal .202/.259/.260 slash line with no homers and 10 RBI in just 57 games. He's a highly regarded defender who fantasy owners shouldn't rely on for anything more than a handful of stolen bases.

Jorge Castillo of the Newark Star-Ledger reports that Ruben Tejada is still considering filing a grievance against the Mets.

The Mets waited until September 11 to recall Tejada from Triple-A Las Vegas this year, which ensured that he fell one day short of Super Two status. It's clear that the Mets purposely manipulated his service time, but the decision whether to final a grievance is said to be "ongoing." Even after a disappointing season and the drama regarding his service time, Tejada is considered an option to be the starting shortstop for the Mets in 2014.

Ruben Tejada could enter spring training as the Mets' No. 1 shortstop, according to general manager Sandy Alderson.

"You're right to point out that the free-agent market is thin," Alderson said. "It was thin with [Jhonny] Peralta. It is thinner without Peralta. There really aren't a lot of options in the free-agent market at this point. There are some trade possibilities. We've reached out to some clubs about shortstops." Tejada hit .202 in 208 at-bats this past season and spent a long stretch in the minors. "Is it conceivable that Ruben Tejada or someone within the organization is playing shortstop for us on Opening Day? I think the short answer is yes," Alderson said.

Ruben Tejada is among seven Mets players who is attending a four-week fitness camp this month in Michigan.

Lucas Duda, Wilmer Flores, 2013 first-round pick Dominic Smith, and three other farmhands are also participating. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Tuesday that it was completely voluntary and expects some to go back in January. Tejada's involvement comes at an interesting time, as he's reportedly mulling over filing a grievance against the Mets due to a service time dispute. Meanwhile, the Mets are looking into possible replacements at shortstop.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports that Ruben Tejada is considering filing a grievance against the Mets accusing them of manipulating his service time to keep him from free agency.

The 24-year-old shortstop finished the season one day short of three full years of major league service time. The Mets planned to recall Tejada once his season at Triple-A Las Vegas came to a close. They recalled eight players from Las Vegas over the first nine days of September, then made Tejada their final call-up on September 10, three days after the Triple-A playoffs concluded. If he indeed files the grievance and is awarded an extra day of service time, he would hit free agency after the 2016 season instead of 2017 as it currently stands.

Ruben Tejada is making progress in his recovery from a broken right fibula.

Tejada didn't require surgery after the injury on September 18 and appears to be on track with his initial six-to-eight-week recovery window. The soon-to-be 24-year-old is coming off a lost season, but he figures to be the favorite to open the season as the starting shortstop unless the Mets go in another direction this winter.

Mets manager Terry Collins said of Ruben Tejada going into next season that the shortstop job "is his, but he's got to show everybody that he wants it desperately."

It's been well documented that the Mets want to see more commitment from Tejada, whose season ended Wednesday due to a broken right fibula. He'll be 100 percent for spring training but will need to show improved work ethic. "My message is real simple: This job is his, but he's got to show everybody that he wants it desperately," Collins said. "Like any professional athlete you've got to say, 'I'm going to dedicate this offseason to show up next spring and be the best player that I can possibly be.' He's good enough to be that guy. But as this year shows, hey look, no job is that secure. You've got to come in and say, 'This is my job and no one is taking it.'"

Ruben Tejada is not expected to require a surgical procedure for his broken right fibula.

Tejada suffered the season-ending injury on Wednesday night when he collided with teammate Andrew Brown in the outfield. The young shortstop should be fully healthy by the beginning of spring training next February.

Ruben Tejada is out for the second after suffering a broken right fibula during Wednesday's win over the Giants.

Tejada collided with Andrew Brown on a play, and although he initially stayed in the game, the pain obviously eventually became too much. It's a fitting end to a disappointing season for the young shortstop, as Tejada will have hit just .202/.259/.260 while spending plenty of time at Triple-A and injured.

Mets recalled SS Ruben Tejada from Triple-A Las Vegas.

New York waited to make the move official until they had delayed Tejada's free agency eligibility until after the 2017 season. Omar Quintanilla doesn't provide much of a roadblock for Tejada to reclaim his old shortstop job. Wilmer Flores' uncertain status due to his ailing ankles could potentially open up even more infield at-bats. As such, Tejada is worth an add in NL-only leagues.

The Mets are expected to recall Ruben Tejada on Tuesday.

Tejada will be called up now that his free agency eligibility has been delayed until after the 2017 season. He should see the majority of playing time at shortstop with Omar Quintanilla over the final two weeks.

The Mets will recall Ruben Tejada within the next few days.

The Mets haven't been happy with Tejada's work ethic, which has contributed to him not being called up sooner. They'll give him a shot soon, though, and with only Omar Quintanilla blocking him at shortstop, Tejada should see a good amount of playing time in the final weeks.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson insinuated on Tuesday that the Mets aren't happy with Ruben Tejada's work ethic.

Tejada was expected to be promoted by now, but Triple-A Las Vegas advanced to the PCL postseason and New York decided to let the young shortstop experience a playoff atmosphere. Mets manager Terry Collins hasn't spoken glowingly about Tejada's dedication in the past, but Alderson's comments amped up the rhetoric. "You know, one of the problems with Ruben is, it's like pulling teeth," Alderson said. "Extra batting practice, extra this, extra that, doesn't happen unless someone else is insisting on it. And that's what we need to see. We need to see a commitment to improvement."

Mets manager Terry Collins said Friday that Ruben Tejada will play a lot when he joins the team in September.

Tejada was banished to the minors after his quad strain at the end of May, but he has compiled a decent a .295/.347/.370 batting line over 57 games with Triple-A Las Vegas. Omar Quintanilla is not a long-term option at shortstop, so the Mets need to see if the 23-year-old can still be a part of the future.

Mets manager Terry Collins indicated Monday that Ruben Tejada and Jordany Valdespin likely won't be called up from the Triple-A Las Vegas until September.

Tejada and Valdespin are both producing in Triple-A, but the Mets' six-man rotation gives them little flexibility on their bench. Barring an injury, it looks like they'll have to wait another month.

Mets activated INF Ruben Tejada from the 15-day disabled list; optioned him to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Tejada is recovered from his right quad strain but the Mets are going to continue to roll with Omar Quintanilla at shortstop. Tejada should be back up eventually.

Ruben Tejada (quad) had a pinch-hit double in a rehab game with Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

It was his first game action with Vegas since going 3-for-9 with two RBI in three games with the team's Gulf Coast League affiliate. Tejada was really struggling prior to his quad injury, so the Mets are going to want to see results prior to activating him from the disabled list.

Ruben Tejada (quad) will continue his minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Las Vegas.

Tejada, out since the end of May with a right quad strain, began his rehab stint with the Gulf Coast League Mets last Friday and went 3-for-9 (.333) with two RBI in three games. The Mets are going to want to see him post some good numbers before activating him, but he should get his job back from Omar Quintanilla before long.