Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes is expected to return Saturday in Cleveland. Reyes suffered an injury after just one plate apperance during Opening Day. That injury led to the speculation that Reyes tried to return to the lineup too early. The Blue Jays hope to get a boost from their starting shortstop this year.
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons made the decision to push back Reyes' return, which was scheduled for Friday. John Gibbons changed Reyes' return date due to weather concerns for Friday's game and the abruptness of coming back for a night game on Friday and a day game on Saturday. Gibbons has said that when Reyes returns he expects him to be in the lineup everyday. That is only if Reyes can remain healthy for the remainder of the season.
Reyes is 30 years of age and only managed to play in 93 games his first year in Toronto. Reyes suffered an ankle injury which sidelined him most of May and June. When Reyes was in the lineup, he was the Jose Reyes the Blue Jays were hoping for when they traded for him in 2012. He hit .296/.353/.427 with 10 home runs and 15 stolen bases in just 419 appearences. Adding Reyes back in the lineup will certainly boost the Jays' productivity.
However, that hasn't been the problem for the club this year.
As a team, Toronto is sixth in the American league in runs scored and tenth in overall team ERA. Reyes will not be able to do much about that problem for his team. However, if the Blue Jays can give their starting pitching more run support, they could get a big boost from the return of Jose Reyes.
But it can't be stressed enough. That is only if will he be able to remain healthy for the remainder of the season.