Cleveland pins Series hopes on Donaldson
CLEVELAND — Josh Donaldson experienced flight issues from Florida on his first official day as a member of the Indians.
The 2015 AL MVP did not get to Progressive Field until just before the start of the game Saturday night, a day after Cleveland acquired the free-swinging third baseman in a trade with Toronto — a deal the AL Central leaders hope propels them to the World Series.
“He can hit the ball really hard,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “When he’s in that batter’s box, he’s one of the guys who, you think: ‘Uh oh.’ Now we can be cheering for him. That’s what I told him.”
Francona only spoke over the phone to Donaldson, whose sometimes turbulent tenure during four seasons with the Blue Jays ended late Friday.
Donaldson has been limited to just 36 games this season because of an assortment of injuries, most recently a calf strain that has lingered, sidelining him for three months. But the 32-year-old, when healthy, is one of the league’s most dangerous hitters and the Indians are eager to add him to their lineup.
“He’s an MVP-type player,” Francona said, “a middle-of-theorder bat that, a guy that when he was on the other team, I used to joke with [third-base coach Brad Mills]: ‘I hope he swings so hard he hurts his back.’ He kind of puts a little fear into you when he gets in the batter’s box.
“He plays with an edge. He plays hard. Again, there’s no crystal ball, and we know that. We know there’s some risk there, but it’s got a chance to make us better.”
Francona met the team’s medical staff Saturday and received a positive report on Donaldson. He’s confident there’s time left in the season for him to get ready.
Francona did not want to discuss any of the team’s plans over the next few weeks with Donaldson before talking to him personally.
In the deal, the Indians also received $2.7 million to cover most of the $3.7 million remaining on Donaldson’s $23 million salary. Because he was traded, he will be a free agent after the season and the Blue Jays will not receive any other compensation.