Detroit Tigers: JaCoby Jones returns from IL, Reyes optioned to Toledo

The Detroit Tigers return to Comerica Park on Friday for the first time since the All-Star break to begin a weekend series against Toronto and will also see the return of a key piece in the lineup.

Following four straight losses to the Indians in Cleveland, the Detroit Tigers finally return home on Friday to the friendly confines of Comerica Park. As the team gets ready to take on the also struggling Toronto Blue Jays, JaCoby Jones is set to make his return to the Tigers lineup in the series opener.

As MLB.com’s Jason Beck reports on Twitter, JaCoby Jones is ready to come off the IL and back into Detroit’s lineup for Friday’s series opener against the Jays. Jones was possibly the most prolific bat in the lineup for the Tigers throughout June but has been sidelined since July 3rd with a back injury.

Jones is currently batting .244 with 23 RBI and 9 home runs for the Detroit Tigers this season. The outfielder was having a rough season to start, but turned things on in late May and showed consistent improvement in the batter’s box through much of June turning him into a key factor for the team’s struggling offense.

Of course, with Jones coming off the IL it means that a corresponding move must be made. In this case, Victor Reyes is being optioned to Triple-A Toledo.

Reyes served as a solid replacement in the outfield during Jones’ absence. Reyes recorded at least one hit in seven of the eleven games in which he served as JaCoby’s replacement and knocked in two RBI during that time as well.

Hopefully, JaCoby Jones continues to show signs of becoming a consistent offensive help like he was before going on the IL. Seeing Victor Reyes go is slightly disappointing considering the amount of improvement the youngster was beginning to show, but it feels certain Tigers fans will get to see him in the big leagues again before the summer is over.