The Toronto Blue Jays welcomed infielder Munenori Kawasaki back to their active roster at a time that his presence means more than usual.
Shortstop Jose Reyes has been bothered by a sore right knee, and he sat on Saturday and Sunday while Maicer Izturis played shortstop. Kawasaki provides Blue Jays manager John Gibbons with another option at shortstop should Reyes require additional rest.
The Blue Jays announced that Kawasaki has been reinstated from the paternity list, and that right-hander Thad Weber has been optioned to the triple-A Buffalo Bisons in a related move. Kawasaki was placed on the paternity list last week due to the birth of his son.
Even though Weber has been optioned to Buffalo, he’ll be recalled for Tuesday’s double header against the New York Yankees as the Blue Jays’ 26th man.
The 32-year-old Kawasaki has hit .205/.309/.286 with one home run and seven stolen bases in 72 games with the Blue Jays in 2013.
