Ruben Tejada, a Panamanian infielder, began his Major League Baseball career with the New York Mets. Born on October 27, 1989, in Santiago de Veraguas, Panama, Tejada was signed by the Mets as an international free agent in 2006. He made his MLB debut on April 7, 2010, at the age of 20, quickly establishing himself as a reliable presence in the infield.
Tejada's early years with the Mets saw him primarily playing as a shortstop and second baseman. Known for his defensive skills, he provided stability in the middle infield positions. In 2011, he became a regular starter, filling in for the injured Jose Reyes. That season, Tejada played in 96 games, batting .284 with 36 RBIs, demonstrating his ability to contribute both offensively and defensively.
The 2012 season was a highlight in Tejada's career. He took over as the Mets' starting shortstop after Reyes left the team. Tejada played in 114 games, achieving a .289 batting average and recording 26 doubles. His performance that year solidified his role as a dependable infielder for the Mets.
However, Tejada's career faced challenges in the following years. Injuries and inconsistent performance affected his playing time. In 2013, he struggled with a quad injury and spent part of the season in the minor leagues. Despite these setbacks, Tejada continued to work on his game, returning to the Mets' lineup in 2014 and playing in 119 games.
One of the most memorable moments in Tejada's career occurred during the 2015 postseason. In Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tejada suffered a broken leg following a controversial slide by Chase Utley. This incident led to a rule change in MLB regarding slides into second base, aimed at protecting infielders from similar injuries in the future.
After his time with the Mets, Tejada's career included stints with several other teams. In 2016, he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals but was released after a brief period. He then joined the San Francisco Giants, where he played a limited number of games. Tejada continued to seek opportunities, signing minor league contracts with teams like the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles.
In 2019, Tejada returned to the major leagues with the Mets, appearing in a handful of games. His return to the Mets marked a full-circle moment in his career, as he once again donned the uniform of the team where he began his MLB journey.
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