DETROIT -- Victor Reyes' production has been one of the few pleasant surprises in an incredibly difficult month for the Tigers. But with JaCoby Jones ready to return, it’s time for Reyes to continue developing.

The Tigers activated Jones from the 10-day injured list on Friday, returning him from this week’s rehab assignment at Triple-A Toledo, and put him back in the leadoff spot for Friday’s series opener against the Blue Jays at Comerica Park. He went 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored in the 12-1 loss. To open a spot on the 25-man roster, Detroit optioned Reyes back to the Mud Hens, where he has spent the bulk of his 2019 season.

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Unless an outfield spot opens up, perhaps with a Nicholas Castellanos trade before the July 31 Trade Deadline, Reyes will likely stay in Toledo until the Hens' season ends. Tigers officials don’t want him sitting the bench in Detroit as an extra outfielder after losing development time last season riding the pine as a Rule 5 Draft pick.

Still, his stint made an impression. Reyes went 10-for-36 with two doubles, a triple, three RBIs and four walks since his recall July 4 before going 1-for-11 with six strikeouts in Cleveland this week.

“He’s on the ball. He’s not backing away,” manager Ron Gardenhire said. “He’s fun to watch. To his credit, he’s been up and down I don’t know how many times already. We’re kind of interrupting his progress a little bit, it seems like. But at the same time, if you’re going to get it interrupted, coming to the big leagues isn’t a bad way to do it.”

Jones returns to the Tigers' lineup for the first time since July 3, when a lower back strain forced him out of a game against the White Sox. The IL stint halted one of the best stretches of his young career; he hit .314 (43-for-137) with 11 doubles, seven home runs, 19 RBIs and a .960 OPS from May 12 to June 29 to dig out of his deep early-season slump.

Jones went 7-for-16 in four rehab games at Toledo this week.

“He swung the bat good, and he’s healthy. That’s the big thing,” Gardenhire said. “His back feels good and he’s ready.”

Mize returns to Erie
While Jones rejoined the Tigers from the Minor Leagues, top prospect Casey Mize is back to his previous spot in the Minors after shoulder fatigue interrupted his season. Mize, the top pitching prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline, rejoined Double-A Erie on Friday for the first time since leaving his start June 13.

Mize made two starts for Class A Advanced Lakeland in what was essentially a rehab assignment. He left in the first inning on June 10 due to pitch count in a 32-pitch opening frame, then survived a two-run first inning Tuesday to toss four frames for the Flying Tigers with two walks and four strikeouts.

Mize’s return creates a dominant quartet in Erie’s rotation, joining fellow first-round picks Matt Manning and Alex Faedo along with rapidly rising prospect Tarik Skubal.

Quick hits
• The Tigers haven’t announced their starter for Sunday’s series finale against the Blue Jays, but it was worth noting that Tyler Alexander was scratched from his scheduled start Friday for Toledo. The 2015 second-round pick made a spot start for the Tigers July 3 in his Major League debut and is still on the 40-man roster.

• This weekend’s forecast for potential record heat in Detroit will likely keep the Tigers taking batting practice in the cages rather than on the field, according to the team's manager. “We’re definitely on guard,” Gardenhire said.