With Power and Energy, Valdespin Takes Cues From Reyes Jordany Valdespin, the Mets" offensive spark du jour, nodded vigorously when asked if he still communicates with the former Mets star Jose Reyes. "That's my boy," Valdespin said of his countryman from the Dominican Republic, with whom he shares text messages almost daily. They also share some things more intangible: showmanship and flair, irrepressible energy and potential potency at the plate. Valdespin, a 24-year-old rookie, had four key hits, three runs scored and two runs batted in his last two games before Wednesday and was batting .300 with eight R.B.I., two steals and eight runs scored in the eight games he had started this season. "He's got great energy when he plays," Manager Terry Collins said. As we're waiting for our power to break out, he's been a guy that's really come through. Valdespin has shown power - notably a game-winning home run against Philadelphia on May 7 - and a steady bat with runners in scoring position of late. On Tuesday, his two-out single to center field in the seventh drove in two key runs in the Mets" 5-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles. The quandary for the Mets, however, is where to plug him into the lineup. Valdespin started at second base Wednesday - his natural position and the one he played growing up in San Pedro de Macorís. On Tuesday, he played left field and second base. On Friday, he might be playing for Class AAA Buffalo. The Mets have two infielders - Ruben Tejada and Ronny Cedeno - nearing activation from the disabled list this weekend and no need for a sixth outfielder. Valdespin is aware he could be the odd man out. "All I can do is play hard every day," Valdespin said. They have the decision - if I'm here or go to triple A, I don't know. All I can do is play hard. Valdespin is athletic, with thick arms, broad shoulders and quick hands. He is 5 feet 10 inches and played basketball growing up. He never played the outfield until Collins brought up the idea to him during spring training. Now he has four different gloves in his locker. "I'll play wherever the manager needs me," Valdespin said. Outfield, infield. I'll just play hard and help my team. He seemed a ready fill-in at shortstop when injuries drained the team's depth. But since he made two errors in the 10th inning of a loss against Washington on June 5, Valdespin has yet to return to the position. Instead, he started two games as the designated hitter against Tampa Bay and went 3 for 9 with four R.B.I. Collins seems to project him as an everyday utility guy - similar to the Braves" Martin Prado or the Rays" Ben Zobrist - whose bat is potent enough to carve out a niche. "If he hits and his bat comes alive, we know it can, he can be a real good extra player for us," Collins said. With him swinging the bat the way he is, he's going to be in the lineup. Valdespin said he has not minded the outfield experiment. He is growing more comfortable after working extensively with the first base coach Tom Goodwin. But he understands his versatile role. On days when he is starting in the infield, he will grab that specific glove and take grounders. He would love to one day be the starting second baseman, but he knows that could take time. "I've got to wait my chance; I've got a guy in front of me," Valdespin said, referring to the starter David Murphy. So all I can do is, when they give me a chance in the lineup, play hard and show I can play. But right now I've got to wait. Though shortstop may not be in his future, Valdespin said Reyes continues to serve as an offensive mentor. They met in spring training in 2010 and still speak regularly, even though Reyes is now in Miami. Valdespin said Reyes sometimes sends him videotapes of his performances in games so he can watch and do his best to replicate them. "He's motivational," Valdespin said. We talk about the game every day. He's my favorite player. I try to do everything like him. INSIDE PITCH Ronny Cedeno (strained left calf) went 1 for 5 with a run scored in his fifth game for Class AAA Buffalo on Tuesday and was expected to play for the Bisons on Wednesday and Thursday. Shortstop Ruben Tejada (strained right quadriceps) was scheduled to join Cedeno with Buffalo on Wednesday. He went 1 for 9 in two games with Class A Port St. Lucie. ... Lucas Duda received the night off Wednesday because of some right hamstring tightness. Manager Terry Collins said the move was precautionary because of the high temperature. "I don't want him to get dehydrated and have that thing cramp up," Collins said. ... Collins had no update on Jason Bay before Tuesday's game. Bay (concussion) visited a doctor on Monday and Tuesday.