Jose Reyes injury: Shortstop expected to miss three months with ankle injury

The Blue Jays are planning to play without their shortstop for the next three months of the season.

By Connor Moylan Apr 13, 2013, 6:00pm EDT

Toronto Blue Jays shorstop Jose Reyes is expected to miss at least three months of the season as he recovers from a severe ankle sprain, general manager Alex Anthopolous told reporters in Kansas City on Saturday.

Anthopolous estimated last night that Reyes would miss 1-3 months, so the official news is not completely unexpected. The team has ruled out a fracture to the ankle, but the shorstop will need to undergo a second MRI once the swelling in his ankle has subsided.

Toronto has currently placed Reyes on the 15-day DL, and has purchased the contract of Munenori Kawasaki from Triple-A Buffalo to occupy the open roster spot. Kawasaki is scheduled to start at shortstop tonight, although Anthopolous has acknowledged that he will look for a potential trade opportunity to address the need at shortstop.

Reyes' hole in the lineup will be tough to fill, as the leadoff hitter had started the season strong. Reyes hit .395/.465/.526 in his first 43 plate appearances as a Blue Jay.