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TORONTO -- Jose Reyes impending return to the Toronto Blue Jays lineup is coming at a nearly perfect time. Manager John Gibbons said on Friday that as the all-star shortstop was rehabbing with Torontos triple-A team in Buffalo, N.Y., the Blue Jays were putting themselves in a position to welcome him back. "The talk has been since he went down, amongst us, amongst (the media) that if we can get back to .500 by the time he gets back then thats pretty good," said Gibbons. "Were close to doing that. I mean, were not there yet, but that could happen and then he just adds to it." Toronto ended up moving to .500 later in the evening after a 7-6 victory over Baltimore. The result was the Blue Jays ninth straight win and improved the teams record to 36-36. Reyes was hitting .395 with a home run, five runs batted in, five runs and five stolen bases in 10 games when he sprained his left ankle on April 12. "Hes one of the premier players in the game. Just all the different things he can do," said Gibbons. "I know everyone will be glad to get him back, regardless." On Wednesday Gibbons suggested that Reyes may be back as soon as Monday when Toronto plays the Rays in Tampa Bay. He didnt sound as certain on Friday. "Its not too far off. Well see how he does this weekend, well kind of see where were at." Added Gibbons: "Hes going to play nine innings tonight (Friday), nine tomorrow and then Sundays a day game, so thatd be his first day game after a night game. "(Friday) will be a good test -- nine innings -- and definitely after (Saturday)." Gibbons told media on Friday that Reyes would play all three minor league games in the field. "We got to make sure hes good and ready," said the manager. Reyes will reclaim the leadoff spot in Torontos batting order when he returns. "Hell definitely be at the top, were not sure what were going to do after that yet," said Gibbons. Gibbons wasnt concerned about any kind of expectations affecting Reyes performance. "I dont think he feels any pressure. I dont think hes that kind of player," said Gibbons. "He just goes out there and has fun. Excels, you know. One guy cant do it all. One guy can make a big difference, but one guy alone cant. "But he can make a nice difference." Although Torontos been rolling in its last 14 games, winning 12, Gibbons was upbeat about Reyes return. "Hes a key part of this team. When he went down he was doing it all," said Gibbons. "But I tip my hat to the guys thatve filled in, (Munenori) Kawasaki in particular, done a great job. He really has. Coming out of nowhere, done a lot of good things for us." Kawasaki was signed by the Blue Jays to a minor-league contract on March 14. He was then called up to Toronto on April 13 to sub in for the injured Reyes. Hes hit .219, with 14 RBIs, 18 runs and seven stolen bases in 56 games. Kawasaki made a strong case for staying with Toronto later Friday when he hit his first major-league home run that tied the game at six, prompting fans to chant his name in Kawasakis next at-bat. "Hes added a lot off the field, in the clubhouse. The teammates love him, the fans love him. You cant help it," said Gibbons of Kawasaki. "And hes contributed big time on the field. Some key hits here or there, good fundamental baseball, made some nice defensive plays, stolen some bases. "Hes a heads-up player, does everything right. Doesnt mean hes going to get the job done every time, but he does everything right. Hes definitely done a tremendous job for us."Jalen Brunson Jersey . Giroud, who wasnt in the starting lineup for two matches after allegations about his private life and a decline in form, scored twice in the first half. Tomas Rosickys chip made it 3-0 before half time at Emirates Stadium, while defender Laurent Koscielny scored an unmarked header in the second half. Jason Kidd Jersey . Third-seeded Murray had the easiest path to victory on New Years Eve, barely breaking a sweat during his 6-0, 6-0 win over 2,129th-ranked Qatari wildcard recipient Mousa Shanan Zayed. http://www.mavericksteamofficial.info/ . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. Dirk Nowitzki Mavericks Jersey . -- Jakob Silfverberg is making himself right at home with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals in his first four games. Dwight Powell Jersey . Vokoun departed practice on Saturday morning after discovering swelling in his thigh. He was taken to a local hospital where the clot was revealed. The club announced the surgery following a 5-3 exhibition loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.NEW YORK -- Leonard Hamilton has a problem.He has 10 players who can play.Its a complication that other coaches only wish they could have.Thats who we are, Hamilton said following No. 25 Florida States 72-61 win over Illinois in the consolation game of the NIT Season Tip-Off on Friday.The Seminoles (5-1), which bounced back from their first loss of the season Thursday in Brooklyn, had six players play at least 20 minutes and 10 players played 10 or more minutes. Trent Forrests 26 minutes led Florida State.Its a little problematic for us right now as we try to play so many different combinations of guys, Hamilton said.Dwayne Bacon scored 17 points to lead Florida State. Jonathan Isaac had 15 points and seven rebounds. CJ Walker finished with 13 and Xavier Rathan-Mayes had 10.We sustained our effort, our focus, better than we did yesterday, Hamilton said. We got great play from our bench. The guys gave us tremendous energy. They gave Bacon and Isaac an opportunity (for) a breather here and there. Everybody who came into the game contributed.The residual effect of that was (we) were always fresh; (I) was always able to keep a fresh group in there, he said.Despite getting a game-high 18 points from Malcolm Hill, Illinois (4-3) lost its third straight. Leron Black chipped in with 15 points, and TeJon Lucas had 10.I liked our fight, John Groce said. The two bright spots as we move forward are Black and Lucas.The first meeting between the ACC and Big 10 programs was a taut affair for 30 minutes before Florida State seized control.Tied 44-all with less than 10 minutes to play, the Seminoles outscored the Illini 7-0 in a 56 second span. The run was sparked by Forrest, who had two steals and drew a shooting foul.That was the key stretch that kind of broke it open, Groce said.Illinois had cut the deficit to 55-50, but as soon as it looked as if the IIllini were about to make a game of it, the Seminoles went on an 11-1 run to extend their lead to 66-51.ddddddddddddAgainst a team of that quality in this type of environment if you dont get stops but two out of 13 times during that stretch when it went from 44-44 to when they got the lead, its tough to win, Groce said.BIG PICTUREIllinois: The Illini came into the tournament having won four of five. The Illini leave Brooklyn having been swept by nationally ranked West Virginia and Florida State. While Illinois was more competitive against Florida State than it was against West Virginia, the Illini were outclassed in the final 10 minutes of the consolation game.Florida State: The Seminoles had not played a game in which they scored fewer than 86 points this season until this win.POLL IMPLICATIONSFlorida State: Despite the win over Illinois, Florida State may drop out of the Top 25 due to its loss to unranked Temple on Thursday.NOTABLEIllinois: Senior guard Tracy Abrams was examined by a trainer during a second half stoppage in play after being inadvertently elbowed in the mouth by Florida State center Michael Ojo, fighting for position in the low blocks.Florida State: Finished the game with seven blocked shots and five steals.QUOTABLEWe try to be consistent. Its somewhat challenging this time of year for us (with) five new players (were) trying to rotate (into the lineup). Theyre getting a lot of minutes, -- Hamilton on the benefit of having a deep roster once conference play begins.UP NEXTIllinois: Will face the North Carolina State Wolfpack Tuesday in the ACC-Big 10 Challenge in Champaign, Illinois.Florida State: Will face the Minnesota Golden Gophers Monday in the ACC-Big 10 Challenge in Tallahassee, Florida. ' ' '