As one Toronto Blue Jays starter returns to the lineup, another is going on the 15-day disabled list. The Blue Jays announced on Saturday that shortstop Jose Reyes was being activated from the disabled list, and that designated hitter Adam Lind was being placed on the DL.
The 30-year-old Reyes was one for five in Saturday’s win over the Cleveland Indians, including hitting an RBI single. He pulled his hamstring trying to leg out a ground ball on the Blue Jays very first at-bat of the 2014 season. Last season, Reyes hit .296/.353/.427 with 10 home runs, and 15 steals in 93 games for the Blue Jays. His presence at the top of the order and on the basepaths will be a welcome addition to a team that has struggled to score runs early in the year. He also brings excellent defense at the shortstop position.
Meanwhile, Lind has been out of the Blue Jays lineup since leaving Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Twins with tightness in his back. The move to the DL was made retroactive to April 16th. The 30-year-old Lind was hitting .324/.465/.500 with one home run and six RBIs early in the season.
In corresponding moves the Blue Jays have optioned fan favorite Munenori Kawaski back to Triple-A Buffalo, preferring to keep Jonathan Diaz as a middle infielder to back up Reyes and second baseman Ryan Goins. Diaz can also fill in a corner outfield spot and has superior infield defense to Kawaski. The two are both poor hitters.
In order to replace Lind at DH, the Blue Jays recalled first baseman Juan Francisco from Triple-A Buffalo. The 26-year-old was hitting .341/.420/.568 with two home runs and 11 RBIs in 12 games at the minor league level. Last season he hit .227/.296/.422 in 124 games split between the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers. Francisco was one-for-three with a walk in his Blue Jays debut today against Cleveland.
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