CLEVELAND – What a difference a year makes. Dick Butkus Jersey . Twelve months ago Jose Reyes spent part of April on the disabled list with a severely sprained left ankle but there was no clear return date in sight. On Saturday, Reyes was back from a strained left hamstring. There was greater clarity this time around. He didnt expect to be out much longer than the 15 days he was required to spend on the disabled list. Turns out he was right. "Real happy just to be back with my teammates, see my guys again," said Reyes. "More happy that Im going to be on the field, playing and doing what I love to do, just play baseball." The Blue Jays technically went 9-7 in Reyes absence but he was a non-factor on Opening Day, reinjuring the hamstring that gave him trouble during spring training while running to first base in his lead off at-bat. In fact, when Reyes took his shortstop position on Saturday afternoon it was his first time in the field this season. For manager John Gibbons, who been able to field his preferred lineup far too infrequently since the start of last year, the return of Reyes means an opportunity to reset the lineup. "Its the way its supposed to look," said Gibbons. "Hopefully he gets us going a little bit more. He adds a little bit more offence. Its good to have him back." Just as Reyes returns, the Jays formally lose Adam Lind through at least April 30 after he was placed on the disabled list with stiffness in his lower back. In steps Juan Francisco, who hit 18 home runs in 348 bats for the Atlanta Braves and Milwuakee Brewers last season. Like Lind, Francisco will be a designated hitter who can spell Edwin Encarnacion at first base. Hell likely start at first base on Sunday. Francisco can play third base in a pinch, although he didnt get the call up for his defence. Since signing a minor league deal with the Blue Jays on April 2 following his spring release by the Brewers, Francisco has posted a .341/.420/.568 slash line with two home runs and 11 RBI for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. Blue Jays brass wrestled with the decision, Francisco or Dan Johnson, whos also off to a strong start with Buffalo (.318/.466/.591, three home runs, 10 RBI). "Francisco worked out, he can hit a little bit," said Gibbons. "Hes got some juice in that bat so hopefully he can add something while Lindys out." Its one of baseballs mysteries as to why a guy like Francisco cant find a permanent home in the major leagues. Hes a left-handed bat and while not a batting average or on-base machine, at 26 years old and with his fourth big league Franciscos been around long enough to be, at the very least, a contributor off the bench. "Ive got no idea," said Gibbons. "Guys that make it in the big leagues and establish themselves, there have got to be some opportunities. I know hes had some opportunities but its got to be in the right organization. Theyve got to like you. Theyve got to throw you out there no matter what. But hes got some talent. Hopefully he shows up." DIAZ READY FOR ANYTHING Now that Jose Reyes has returned, Munenori Kawasaki is back in Buffalo, and with the Blue Jays committed to giving Ryan Goins the majority of playing time at second base, especially against right-handed pitching, Jonathan Diaz settles into a utility role. Diaz hasnt played much outfield in his professional career but hes worked hard on the craft during batting practice. "Ive always loved to shag my entire career ever since I can remember," said Diaz. "Every time Im done my ground balls I go out there and power shag and I enjoy it. I feel like thats prepared me throughout my life to be ready for this opportunity." The Blue Jays transferred Maicer Izturis to the 60-day list, formalizing his protracted absence, and despite his selection over Kawasaki, Diaz lamented the tough decisions that had to be made. "I was just saying earlier, were all buddies, we all wish we could all stick around," said Diaz. "Kawasakis such a great teammate but, you know, thats the way the game goes. Luckily I was able to stick around and Im going to go out there and work hard at every position I can because I know Im going to be that guy filling in a role." Kyle Fuller Jersey . Now he can be had by any team willing to pay his salary. According to a report from ESPN, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are shopping the veteran CB and plan on releasing him Wednesday if they cant find a trade partner.Alshon Jeffery Jersey . "You know I watch every single game, right?" He once again holds the title of special assistant to the organization, which affords Hentgen the opportunity to rove through the minor league system. Hes at home a lot, he needs to be with his dad battling cancer, but he may as well be at the field with the way he scrutinizes each development. DENVER -- The Seattle Mariners found a cure for their road woes -- a weekend trip to Coors Field. Jesus Montero and Justin Smoak hit back-to-back home runs, Blake Beavan tied a season-high with seven strikeouts and the Mariners survived a ninth-inning rally to beat the Colorado Rockies 6-4 on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep. The Mariners were 8-4 on the road after sweeping a series in Detroit last month before losing 12 of their last 13 away from home. They stumbled into Denver having gone 1-9 on the road in May but are heading home with momentum. "Its definitely a good way to end the road trip," Kyle Seager said. "We definitely had some ups and downs along the way but its good to end on a high note." Coors Field proved to be an oasis, but not without a tense ninth inning. Leading 6-2, closer Brandon League came on and gave up a one-out, pinch-hit homer to Dexter Fowler, his fifth. Eric Young and pinch-hitter Jason Giambi followed with singles, and Carlos Gonzalez knocked in a run with a single to centre. Troy Tulowitzki hit a potential double-play ball to third, but Smoak bobbled the relay at first to keep the inning alive. League struck out Todd Helton with a 96-mph fastball to end the game. "A fastball right down the middle," Helton said. "That was the only pitch I saw all day. I was waiting for a sound and never (heard it)." League, who has two blown saves in his last three chances, said he felt good Sunday. "Besides the home run and the first pitch to Gonzalez I thought my ball was doing what it supposed to do," he said. "Those arent the results youre looking for but I felt better." Mike Carp also homered and Dustin Ackley had two hits for the Mariners. Gonzalez homered among his three hits to go with Fowlers homer but it wasnt enough for Colorado, which has lost four straight overall and 8 of 10 at home in May. "We are in a helluva rut right now," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. "We are going to have to dig our ourselves out. Nobody likes it. Its no fun to go through it. There is no finger pointing going on." The Rockies can point to Seattles pitching as a source of their troubles. Kevin Millwood no-hit them for 6 2-3 innings before setting for a two-hit shutout Friday. Jason Vargas threw seven strong innings in Saturdays 10-3 win. Beavan (2-4) followed those starts with five-plus innings of two-run ball. He gave two runs and seven hits while walking one to get his first win since April 15. Beavans only mistakes were a two-out solo homer to Gonzalez and a two-out RBI single by Jordan&nnbsp;Pacheco. Ego Ferguson Jersey. . He left after giving up a leadoff double to Michael Cuddyer in the sixth, but righty Shawn Kelley got Wilin Rosario to line out and struck out Pacheco and pinch-hitter Tyler Colvin. "It was good for our bullpen to step up in the sixth inning and get the next three guys out," Beavan said. "Kelley getting those guys was a big momentum swing in this game." Colorados Jeremy Guthrie (2-2) allowed three homers in a game for the fifth time in his career. "Three balls left the ballpark," Tracy said. "Thats the difference in the game." The Mariners jumped out to the early lead for the third straight game. Ackley led off the game with a double, moved to third on fly out and, after a walk to Seager, the two successfully completed a double steal to score the first run. Seager scored on Smoaks two-out single to make it 2-0. Gonzalez cut the lead in half with his eighth home run in the bottom of the first before Seattles big bats woke up. With two outs in the third, Montero hit a two-run homer to left, his sixth, and Smoak followed with fifth homer into the front row of the right-field bleachers to make it 5-1. "Getting on top of that high fastball the way he did, youve got to do a lot of things right," manager Eric Wedge said of Smoak. "Offensively a lot of these guys are headed in the right direction. Weve got some guys that can do some damage once they get it going." Pachecos RBI single in the fourth made it 5-2 but Carps fourth homer off the second deck in right in sixth put Seattle ahead 6-2. Guthrie left after giving up six earned runs, striking out seven and walking two in six innings. He didnt get much help from his offence, which went 2 for 16 with runners in scoring position. "We all know our pitchers are not doing very well. We just need to do our part and score runs and play really good defence," Gonzalez said. "Thats the only things we can control. We cant pitch for everyone." NOTES: The back-to-back homers were the first this season by Seattle. Its the fourth time Colorado has surrendered consecutive homers. ... The Rockies recalled RHP Adam Ottavino from Triple-A and optioned LHP Rex Brothers. ... Mariners C Miguel Olivo will join Triple-A Tacoma in Iowa on Monday to begin a rehab assignment. Olivo has been on the DL since May 5 with a strained right groin. ... Mariners RHP Felix Hernandez will face Texas RHP Yu Darvish in the opener of a three-game series in Seattle on Monday. ... Colorado will send lefty Jamie Moyer against Marlins lefty Mark Buehrle in Miami on Monday. cheap nfl jerseyscheap jerseys ' ' '
