Lawrie resumes baseball activities

TORONTO -- Blue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie has resumed baseball activities after being kept out of action for almost a month with a sprained left ankle.

Lawrie hasn't played since May 27, when he sprained his ankle attempting to steal second base. The British Columbia native was placed in a walking boot for several weeks but appears to be making progress in recent days.

"We're not sure yet, but he took some groundballs, took some batting practice, did a little bit of running," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said when asked about a timeline. "But he's probably still a little ways away."

The Blue Jays are 71 games into their season, but have not had the luxury of using both Lawrie and shortstop Jose Reyes at the same time. Lawrie missed the beginning of the season with a sprained oblique muscle, and Reyes has been out since April 12 with a sprained ankle of his own.

Lawrie is hitting .209 with five homers and 14 RBIs in 37 games this season.