CLEVELAND – What a difference a year makes. 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." Joe Smith Astros Jersey . The Blue Jackets got goals from Cam Atkinson, Nick Foligno, Boone Jenner and R.J. Umberger and Curtis McElhinney posted his first shutout since 2011 in a 4-0 victory on Friday night. Houston Astros Store .Inter Milan and Napoli also advanced to ensure there will be at least three Italian clubs in the last 32 of Europes secondary competition.Spurs victory, secured by Benjamin Stamboulis 49th-minute winner, was overshadowed by a succession of pitch invasions that forced the referee to halt the game after 41 minutes. https://www.cheapastros.com/. The Henry Burris-led squad finished second in the East Division before advancing to the Grey Cup where they ultimately fell to the home field advantage wielding Saskatchewan Roughriders. Joe Biagini Astros Jersey . Mauer drove in two runs before leaving with an injury, Eduardo Nunez homered and the Minnesota Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 10-2 on Tuesday night. Jose Cruz Jr. Astros Jersey . "Its embarrassing what were doing here," leading scorer Phil Kessel said Wednesday. The most recent failed season came with even more pain than the six that preceded it. There was no hint of an impending implosion when the Leafs came roaring out of the all-star break with back-to-back games against Pittsburgh -- a 5-4 shootout loss followed by a 1-0 win the next night.A late goal by Carlyle Mitchell wasnt enough for Vancouver Whitecaps FC to avoid their second straight 2-1 loss to Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday morning at the Kino Sports Complex. Down 2-0, the Trinidadian defender brought the Caps to within one goal after heading in a Nicolas Mezquida corner in the 78th minute. Vancouver nearly equalized moments later, when Uruguayan midfielder Sebastien Fernandez released Darren Mattocks into the Sounders 18-yard-box, but the Jamaicans left-footed effort trickled just wide of the post as Whitecaps FCs comeback bid fell just short. "Winning and losing is a fine line," said head coach Carl Robinson. "You saw today that it was pretty even game. They took their two chances, we ended up scoring and missing a penalty and getting a chance in the last minute and we lose the game. Its preseason … Im not really focused on results at the moment. Im focused on fitness and also on combinations." Unlike Vancouvers first two preseason matches in Casa Grande, Sundays contest in Tucson was made up of three 30-minute periods rather than two halves. The Caps went with an experienced squad again on Sunday, with players like David Ousted, Jay DeMerit, and Nigel Reo-Coker making their second straight starts. Right back Steven Beitashour also made his first start as a member of Whitecaps FC and midfielder Russell Teibert made his first appearance of the preseason. The 21-year-old Canadian, who played in a holding midfielder position alongside Reo-Coker, was lively throughout the opening 45 minutes in defending and attacking positions.dddddddddddd After a fairly uneventful opening 20 minutes, in which Whitecaps FC looked comfortable in possession, Seattle broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute on the strength of a Kevin Parsemain volley from the top of the box. Teibert had Vancouvers best chance to even the match in the 38th, as he took to the penalty spot after Hurtado was hauled down, only to see his attempt sail over the goal. Despite the miss, the Caps manager said he liked what he saw from the young Canadian. "I thought he was great," said Robinson. "He wanted the ball all the time, he was dropping deep to get on the ball, and he was spraying passes. I thought it was a very positive performance from Russell." Andy Rose scored the eventual winner for Sounders FC in the 50th minute. In the build-up, Sean Okoli headed a Chad Barrett cross across goal to the near post, where Rose headed it in past a sprawling Marco Carducci. The Caps will return to Casa Grande on Sunday, where a number of Vancouvers trialists and recent draft picks will play a scrimmage against Indy Eleven on Monday, before flying back to Vancouver on Wednesday. Their next preseason match is set for Sunday, February 16 against the University of Victoria Vikes at Centennial Stadium. ' ' '