After appearing in just 93 games last season for the Toronto Blue Jays, shortstop Jose Reyes was optimistic that he’d be able to bounce back in 2014 to help the Jays keep pace in the American League East division with perennial powers in the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox. While his mentality and belief about being ready for a full slate was a welcomed tone during Spring Training, the 31-year-old Dominican Republic native didn’t take long to return to the most dreaded place in professional sports.
Reyes -- who was shelved for most of the 2013 campaign due to a severely sprained ankle -- reinjured his left hamstring in Monday’s season-opening loss to Tampa Bay, damage Reyes originally acquired in the latter stages of Spring Training. Now headed back to the disabled list after suffering the setback, he’ll be forced to start another grueling recovery process. I tried to run a little bit faster between home plate and first base, and I kind of feel my hammy there," Reyes said after Toronto’s 9-2 loss to David Price and the Rays. "So I have to slow down and get out of the game because I don't want to get any worse.”
Stepping into the batter’s box for his first at-bat of the regular season, Reyes was hoping that he’d be able to reach base safely without any physical repercussions. Sending a line drive to center field that was caught by Rays outfielder Desmond Jennings, the former New York Mets shortstop said he felt discomfort in the hamstring when he began to pick up speed while running down the first base line. After realizing something was wrong, Reyes returned to the dugout to let manager John Gibbons know that his leg was giving him problems once again.
“When I tried for a little speed, something not right,” he said. “Hopefully it doesn’t get any worse, if it gets any worse it’s going to be disappointing not just for me but for the whole team. I thought I could play through it. Sometimes you’re not 100 percent and you feel like you can play, but that wasn’t the case. I worked so hard this offseason just to get ready for Spring Training, play for a full year, and now I have to deal with this thing -- it's no fun at all. I want to be on the field, but it's one of those things, injuries happen, it's part of the game and I have to deal with it.”
In 93 games with the Blue Jays last season, Reyes batted .296 with 10 home runs and 37 RBIs. Though he’s known for his speed on the base path’s, the shortstop was only able to record 15 stolen bases, a significant drop from the 40 he stole in his lone season with the Miami Marlins.
Reyes has been place on the 15-day disabled list with what is officially being called left hamstring tightness.
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