Jose Reyes Set to Return, Reports to Triple-A

It’s the day that the Colorado Rockies have been pondering for some time and it’s the day that Rockies fans have been talking about for weeks now. And, finally, we have a bit of an answer in the Jose Reyes saga.

On Wednesday, Jose Reyes is officially eligible to play baseball again as part of a team. Suspended through May 31 by Major League Baseball for violating its domestic violence policy after an offseason incident that occurred in Hawaii, Reyes wasn’t allowed to participate in spring training. When his sentence was finally handed down by MLB earlier this month, Reyes reported to Colorado’s spring training facilities in Arizona to begin preparations for his return to baseball on June 1.

No one knew exactly what that return would look like until Tuesday when Colorado manager Walt Weiss told the media that Reyes will report to Triple-A Albuquerque when he comes off his suspension on Wednesday.

“He will report to Albuquerque,” Weiss said matter-of-factly prior to the Rockies contest with the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night. “He’s continuing the second phase of his rehab assignment.”

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There was some speculation that Reyes would have to be added to the 40-man roster when he came off the suspension. However, Thomas Harding with MLB.com reported that Rockies officials said that was not the case and that Reyes would stay off Colorado’s 40-man roster for the time being.

Reyes reporting to Albuquerque indicates that the Rockies have yet to find a partner to work out a deal for the shortstop. If that’s the case, Colorado will have a decision to make as the month unfolds. Will the Rockies keep him and eventually place him on the 40-man roster? If so, a current member of that roster will have to move, more than likely through the DFA designation. If they place Reyes on the 40-man roster, they will have to bring him to Denver. Who goes down to Triple-A when that happens?

There is no timetable on the return of Reyes to Denver. However, a position player can spend a maximum of 20 days on a minor league rehab assignment.

Here are some early thoughts on those scenarios. If Reyes joins the 40-man roster, it could spell the end of Rafael Ynoa, Scott Oberg, Jason Gurka or possibly even Jordan Lyles in a Colorado uniform.

Ynoa is hitting .278 in Triple-A and is the only position player that seems to fit into the possible scenario. Oberg (4.22 ERA) and Lyles (6.39 ERA) have struggled on the mound in Albuquerque while Gurka has a 1.20 ERA in 11 Triple-A games.

Next: Ottavino Throws Live BP, Takes Step Toward Return

After months of speculation, it’s finally time to see what happens between the Rockies and Reyes. Decisions will need to be made and soon and those decisions could have lasting consequences in LoDo.