Donaldson expected back by weekend
Manager John Gibbons was the bringer of good news for Toronto Blue Jays fans on Monday.
Gibbons said before a 10-6 loss to the Atlanta Braves at the Rogers Centre that he hopes to have third baseman Josh Donaldson in the lineup sometime this weekend when the Jays are in Baltimore to face the Orioles.
Donaldson, the slugger known as the Bringer of Rain, was put on the disabled list on April 14 with a right calf sprain and has been in Dunedin, Fla., on rehab assignment the last couple of weeks. Gibbons said the 2015 American League MVP is doing everything now — hitting, running, fielding — except playing in a game situation.
As for when the 31-year-old will play in a game with the Dunedin Blue Jays, Gibbons said that has yet to be determined.
There were suggestions that Donaldson pushed his return too quickly the last time he was on the DL with a calf problem, and both the player and team are making sure that doesn’t happen again. Donaldson last played April 13.
“It’s been over a month, but he’s hurt (the calf ) twice so we want to make sure he’s good and ready,” Gibbons said. “He’s probably more honest this time (in terms of revealing his true health), but he’s ready to come back. He also understands there’s certain things he’s got to do before he comes back.”
It’s welcome news for a Jays roster that’s riddled with injuryrelated holes. Gibbons said shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who has a right hamstring issue, played in a minor-league game on Monday with Dunedin and should meet the team in Atlanta later this week. Meanwhile, utility man Steve Pearce was put on the 10-day DL with a right calf strain.
“It’s hard to say,” Gibbons said when asked how long he expects Pearce to be out, given the trouble another Blue Jay has had while recovering from a calf problem. “Look at Donaldson.”