Donaldson back in action with Jays
DUNEDIN, FLA. In his two full seasons managing the thoroughbred that is Josh Donaldson, Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons has known better than to try hard to keep his baseball stud in the barn.
On Monday at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin, the reins were finally released on the team’s star third baseman. With opening day just two weeks away and the strained calf in his right leg nearing full strength, Donaldson made his Grapefruit League debut at designated hitter.
By the score line, it was a modest debut for the 2015 American League MVP, but that hardly mattered.
The good news was he had a chance to run the bases and felt good in his three plate appearances — a walk, a strikeout and a reach by way of an error.
Donaldson is tentatively scheduled to make his spring debut at third in Wednesday’s home game against the Detroit Tigers.
“It wasn’t that easy for me to be patient because I want to be out there,” Donaldson said after exiting the Jays’ ugly 8-2 loss to the Twins in the sixth inning. “The good thing is that it’s been somewhat of a longer spring training and it allowed me to take my time. Our training staff and everybody here just re-iterated to take this as slow as possible and take all the right precautionary steps.”
While Monday’s debut was modest — the man they call the Bringer of Rain took just one swing at the first 10 pitches he faced in a strikeout and walk — there’s no doubt it was a welcome sight to Gibbons and the rest of the team.
“It’s a really big day for him and a big day for the ball club,” Gibbons said. “We’ve been waiting for this day.”
Donaldson’s durability is wellknown around the Jays’ clubhouse. In his two seasons as a Jay, he has played 158 and 155 games respectively. “It is kind of rare in this day and age,” Gibbons said. “I think a lot of it is his toughness, his mentality. That’s kind of who he is.”