Anaheim, CA (Best E Casino) - New York Mets shortstop Jose Reyes left Tuesday's 6-1 loss against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim with stiffness in his left hamstring.

It happened in the first inning when Reyes appeared to suffer the injury after reaching on a single to center and he was then pulled from the game.

He was visibly angry that interim manager Jerry Manuel, replacing the fired Willie Randolph, removed him from the game as he threw his helmet to the ground. Manuel, who removed Reyes from the game for precautionary measures, replaced Reyes with Damion Easley.

"Jose loves to play and he hates to come out, but this is my first game and I'm not going to lose my best player for a period of time," said Manuel. "No matter how much he wanted to play, he was coming out."

"I wanted to play and Jerry was trying to take care of me," said Reyes. "We talked and I listened. I apologized and I understand everything he explained to me. I appreciated that."

Reyes is hitting .292 (84-for-287) with eight home runs and 29 RBI in 68 games.