Reyes feels good running, inches closer to rehab trip

BALTIMORE -- Jose Reyes appears to be moving closer to a rehab assignment and a return to the Blue Jays' lineup.

Reyes, who has been out since the team's Opening Day loss in Tampa Bay on March 31 due to a left hamstring injury, did some running before Friday's series opener against the Orioles and fared well.

The shortstop and manager John Gibbons both said if all goes well after Reyes pushes things while running the bases Saturday, that they'll start planning details for a rehab assignment, which would eventually lead to his return.

"He'll head out in the next few days," Gibbons said. "We'll see how he bounces back [Saturday]. [He'll] run the bases [Saturday], and we'll see where we're at."

Reyes was happy with how his hamstring felt after his running.

"This is the first time [I've] run in a little while," Reyes said. "It feels good. Hopefully, [Saturday I'll] run the bases a little bit and see how it feels after that."

Reyes came out in the first inning of the season opener after he flew out, and proceeded to go on the disabled list one day later.

He's hoping to push it more when running the bases Saturday, but he admitted that keeping the injury out of his mind isn't the easiest thing to do. That's another part of his rehab.

"It's still a little bit in my mind," Reyes said. "When you have a hamstring injury, it's going to be in your mind for a little while. "