Jose Reyes expected to miss three months with severe ankle sprain - MLB

The news is in on Jose Reyes’ left ankle. And it’s not good.

According to Scott MacArthur of TSN Radio 1050, Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos told reporters in Kansas City this afternoon that Reyes is expected to miss three months. This is essentially the worst-case scenario of the timetable presented by Anthopoulos last night.

While a fracture has been ruled out, Reyes is dealing with what is being called a “severe sprain.” He’ll undergo another MRI once the swelling goes down, but the Blue Jays are prepared to get by without him until mid-July.

The Blue Jays will go with the newly-promoted Munenori Kawasaki at shortstop tonight while Emilio Bonifacio will start in right field and Jose Bautista will move back to his former position at third base. Of course, the Bautista move is only temporary, as Brett Lawrie should be ready to return from his rib cage injury soon.

According to MacArthur, Anthopoulos acknowledged again today that he’s looking into trade possibilities at shortstop and is valuing defense over offense.

NEW YORK – Minor league players reached a historic initial collective bargaining agreement with Major League Baseball on Wednesday that will more than double player salaries, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details were not announced.

As part of the five-year deal, MLB agreed during the contract not to reduce minor league affiliates from the current 120.

The sides reached the deal two days before the start of the minor league season and hours after a federal judge gave final approval to a $185 million settlement reached with MLB last May of a lawsuit filed in 2014 alleging violations of federal minimum wage laws.

Union staff recommended approval and about 5,500 minor leaguers were expected to vote on Thursday. MLB teams must also vote to approve and are expected to do so over the next week.

Minimum salaries will rise from $4,800 to $19,800 at rookie ball, $11,000 to $26,200 at Low Class A, $11,000 to $27,300 at High Class A, $13,800 to $27,300 at Double A and $17,500 to $45,800 at Triple-A. Players will be paid in the offseason for the first time.

Most players will be guaranteed housing, and players at Double-A and Triple-A will be given a single room. Players below Double-A will have the option of exchanging club housing for a stipend. The domestic violence and drug policies will be covered by the union agreement. Players who sign for the first time at 19 or older can become minor league free agents after six seasons instead of seven.

Major leaguers have been covered by a labor contract since 1968 and the average salary has soared from $17,000 in 1967 to an average of $4.22 million last season. Full-season minor leaguers earned as little as $10,400 last year.

The Major League Baseball Players Association took over as the bargaining representative of the roughly 5,500 players with minor league contracts last September after a lightning 17-day organization drive.

Minor leaguers players will receive four weeks of retroactive spring training pay for this year. They will get $625 weekly for spring training and offseason training camp and $250 weekly for offseason workouts at home.

Beginning in 2024, teams can have a maximum of 165 players under contract during the season and 175 during the offseason, down from the current 190 and 180.

The union will take over group licensing rights for players.

Negotiating for players was led by Tony Clark, Bruce Meyer, Harry Marino, Ian Penny and Matt Nussbaum. MLB Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem headed management’s bargainers.