Cesar Tordesillas

Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes will miss at least three months due to a left ankle sprain that he suffered in an 8-4 win over the Kansas City Royals.

The MRI conducted in Kansas City revealed that Reyes has a badly sprained ankle that will not immediately require surgery. The estimate, if all goes well, is Reyes will not be available until after the All-Star Break in mid-July.

Reyes had just delivered a two-run single to give the Blue Jays an 8-4 lead in the sixth inning. He then took off for second and looked back as he neared the bag, which left him caught between sliding and standing up. Reyes slid with his right foot forward and dragged his left ankle over the bag before being called safe with a stolen base.

Manager John Gibbons said Reyes felt a pop and was in pain immediately.

"We should have an update," Anthopoulos said. "He thought the ball was fouled. You rarely see him slide with his feet. He slides head-first. He actually had a similar injury in 2003."

Reyes was hitting .395 in 38 at-bats with the Blue Jays. The club has already begun to explore its options internally and via possible trades to fill the shortstop void.

Shortstops with major-league experience who could be available includes Mike Aviles (Indians), John McDonald (Pirates), Yuniesky Betancourt (Brewers), Jonathan Herrera (Rockies), Ramiro Pena (Braves), Cesar Izturis (Reds) and, in what would be a bold move, the demoted Dee Gordon of the Dodgers.

In the meantime, other players in the batting order — Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, Adam Lind, Colby Rasmus and Brett Lawrie — should step up.

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Jose Reyes to Miss Three Months to Ankle Sprain