Travis, Donaldson spring back to action
DUNEDIN, FLA. For now, Devon Travis won’t look at a calendar and won’t imagine himself batting leadoff for the Toronto Blue Jays on opening day. The thoughts are far too painful — more painful, in fact, than the residual damage to his injured right knee.
The player the Jays are counting on to play at second base and top the batting order is getting closer by the day, however. On Monday, he ran sprints on the Florida Auto Exchange Stadium field for the first time this spring.
And with a thumbs-up from the training staff, Travis, 26, was given the all-clear to make his spring debut as a designated hitter in a minor league game on Tuesday in Clearwater, Fla.
Travis won’t be alone — after Monday’s 4-3 win over the Boston Red Sox, the Jays announced third baseman Josh Donaldson is far enough along in his recovery from a strained calf and will make his spring debut in the same game. Donaldson’s prospects for making the opening day lineup are good.
“When you start thinking about it at all, there’s no way to make yourself feel better,” Travis said on Monday when asked about his opening day aspirations. “I want to help this team win. I think I can help this team win. I’ve got to be healthy to do that. (Opening day) has always been my goal. It’s still my goal. But you can’t get caught up in that stuff.”
The bum knee that acted up in the ALDS against the Texas Rangers last fall worsened to the point that he had to leave in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Cleveland Indians, ending his year. So the prospect of getting in the batter’s box — even if it is at a minor-league park — has him enthused.
“I’ve been dying to do that,” said Travis, who is dealing with a bone bruise related to the surgery to remove cartilage from his knee. “I’m looking forward to seeing a ball coming at me again and to put on a uniform, put on cleats and a helmet and get it going. I’m excited.”
The Jays want Travis to be healthy for the long grind of the season.
“I really don’t know that it’s taking that long, it just seems to everyone else that it’s taken a long, long time,” the Jays’ head athletic trainer, George Poulis, said on Monday. “But it’s a progression. Certain injuries you have to take your time on.”