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The Blue Jays are going to reactivate shortstop Jose Reyes from the 60-day disabled list on Wednesday, reported various beat reporters on Twitter just an hour after Toronto's 11-game winning streak was halted with a loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. The news might have been a little buried: the first tweet from Arash Madani came just a couple of minutes after the Chicago Blackhawks' Dave Bolland scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal.
BREAKING: The #Bluejays are activating Jose Reyes off the DL for Wednesday's game here at The Trop. #Jays
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) June 25, 2013
Originally, after playing four games with the Buffalo Bisons, the plan was to send Reyes to play for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats before having him rejoin the team in Fenway Park on Friday. However, today general manager Alex Anthopoulos had driven down to Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo to see the rehabbing Reyes play in person. He obviously liked what he saw during the game, because from his quotes prior to the game, Anthopoulos had wanted to see more rehab time for Reyes.
"He's not all the way there, but he says it's getting close. It's going to be good to see him and the more at-bats we get for him down here and him to go through some things, it's good for him."
"It's as much about having him get his at-bats, get his timing and stamina-wise not having to miss any time when he's back with us."
Jose Reyes went 2-for-4 in four at bats Monday night, cashing in the Bisons' only run as they lost 7-1 to the Durham Bulls. He looked like he was moving naturally, without being held back too much in the game this past Friday when I saw him in person. I hope that the Blue Jays' loss in Tampa Bay had little to do with Anthopoulos's decision. Speaking with Sportsnet's Michael Grange, Anthopoulos said that the winning streak has not dictated Reyes's timeline to return.
Asked further about who may come off the roster, Anthopoulos replied:
"Our clubhouse is strong enough, our talent is strong enough that with all due respect to whether it’s Kawasaki or a reliever or some other player, we’ll be fine."
Bisons starter Ricky Romero was ineffective in front of his GM, going just 3.1 innings, walking five and giving up five runs on six hits while only recording a couple of strike outs.
Reyes was acquired in a huge off-season trade from the Miami Marlins and was to become the Blue Jays' every day shortstop, but he was injured on April 12, just 10 games into the 2013 season sliding into second base. At the moment of his injury, Reyes was one of the only Blue Jays batters who was hitting, sporting a .395/.465/.526 line. Including Tuesday night's game, Reyes would have missed 66 team games over 73 days.
The corresponding roster move--or moves--to place Reyes on the team will be announced Wednesday. So, now it's time to really debate on what moves the Blue Jays should make on Wednesday. Tom Dakers is thinking Juan Perez's time is just about up, but I believe that the best move for the club is to option Munenori Kawasaki to Buffalo, but with that move someone will still need to be removed from the 40-man roster. Michael Schwimer may be the victim there, or perhaps the Jays would have enough justification to shift Ramon Ortiz to the 60-day disabled list.