After playing through pain, Reyes shelved with rib injury

BOSTON -- Jose Reyes did everything he possibly could to remain on the field, but in the end, it wasn't enough, and the veteran shortstop will now have to sit out for at least the next two weeks.

Toronto placed Reyes on the 15-day disabled list late Monday night and selected the contract of infielder Jonathan Diaz to take his spot on the roster. Reyes has been dealing with a cracked rib for the past two weeks, and after playing through the pain, he finally realized it wasn't going to get better without rest.

Reyes initially tried to remain in the lineup by hitting exclusively from the right side. That temporarily created some positive news, but the plan didn't work out, as Reyes clearly wasn't himself on the field.

"I feel like if I continue playing like that, it's not going to get any better," Reyes said. "I need to shut it down and see if it calms down. I came to the big leagues hitting as a switch-hitter, not hitting only from one side. I have a difficult time hitting from the right side. Some swings I feel it, because it's there.

"I need to get better ... because playing like that, I feel like it wasn't me."

The injury is yet another blow to the four-time All-Star who has been on the DL every year since the Blue Jays acquired him prior to the 2013 season. That's obviously led to some criticism, and Reyes is more than aware about some of the things people have said, which has only increased his level of frustration.

In 2013, it was a fluke high-ankle sprain that Reyes suffered while sliding into first base at Kansas City. Last year, it was a strained hamstring suffered in Spring Training that required him to start the season on the DL, but never really seemed to go away.

That led to Reyes changing his offseason routine and preparing for the year in a similar way to how a sprinter gets ready for a big race. The goal was to make sure that his legs weren't a problem this season, and while that might have been a success, it doesn't really matter, since he's missing time with a rib injury.

It seems Reyes can't catch a break, and he's beyond frustrated about it.

"It is frustrating, because no matter how hard you work in the offseason, something happens," Reyes said. "Who can imagine this happens on a check swing? I crack one of my ribs. That's crazy. I do everything that I can, man, to stay on the field. Hitting from one side, wrapping one side -- every day we tape.

"What else can I do, man? I just want to help my ballclub. I do everything that I can to stay on the field. I have to go on the DL, unfortunately. I don't want that. But I have to get this right, so that's the most important thing right now, and the season is still early."