Donaldson makes spring debut for Blue Jays

DUNEDIN, FLA. • Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons is well aware that if his team is to return to playoff contention, a healthy, happy and productive Josh Donaldson is key.

The former MVP third baseman took another step in that direction on Tuesday when he made his spring debut in the field in the Jays’ 5-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves.

Donaldson had a walk and a single in his two plate appearances and looked fine in his regular spot at the hot corner.

“We had a front seat to (Donaldson’s) importance last year when he was out for an extended period of time and then he came back and what he did the last couple of months,” said Gibbons, whose club slipped to 3-8 in spring training play. “It just reinforces and reminds you just how good he is.”

Meanwhile, Donaldson and his manager had a brief dust-up during morning workouts over a boom box of all things. Donaldson likes to listen to music when stretching, but missed the clubhouse memo that tunes were off limits on Tuesday because of testing at the school adjacent to Dunedin Stadium.

The two took the discussion into the clubhouse and apparently all was smoothed out.

“Me and Gibby had a conversation about it,” Donaldson said. “He told me why we couldn’t have music out Josh Donaldson there. I didn’t know. But I’ll probably have music out there tomorrow. I saw it on the board after.”