Third baseman Josh Donaldson left the Blue Jays’ game against the Rays on Sunday with right calf tightness, per an announcement from Toronto. Donaldson previously sat out most of spring training with a calf strain, so it’s possible this ailment will force him to the disabled list. The 2015 AL MVP and three-time All-Star has been eminently durable since his first full season, 2013, having played at least 155 games in each of the past four years. Donaldson’s once again performing at an elite level early this year (.348/.444/.652 in 27 plate appearances), but the 1-4 Jays have scuffled in spite of that.
Here’s more from the AL…
- Yordano Ventura’s life and untimely death will always be on the minds of his teammates, and the Royals’ mourning process has, in a way, begun anew as the team starts the season without Ventura around every day, Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star writes. Infielder Cheslor Cuthbert had made a routine of goofing around with Ventura during rides on the team plane, though when the Royals flew out of Spring Training last week, “when I looked, I didn’t see him,” Cuthbert said. “That’s when I realized: ‘He’s not here anymore. It’s hard to accept that.’ ” Dodd’s piece contains many memories and stories about Ventura from his many friends on the team and is well worth a full read.
- The Tigers put a big focus on pitching in the 2013 amateur draft, taking college pitchers with their first seven picks and selecting arms with 27 of 41 overall picks. Almost four years later, however, MLive.com’s Evan Woodbery notes that Detroit has gotten little return from the hurlers in that draft class. Of those initial seven pitchers, only Buck Farmer and righty Jeff Thompson are still in the organization, as the other five have been traded, released, or have retired (second-rounder Kevin Ziomek). Farmer, Brewers reliever Corey Knebel, and current Yankees Joe Mantiply and Chad Green are the only Tigers picks from that entire 41-person class who have seen any big league playing time.
- One week into the season, the Athletics have already made a change in their rotation. Right-hander Jesse Hahn will replace righty Raul Alcantara, who will head to the bullpen, reports Joe Stiglich of CSN Bay Area (video link). Alcantara started for the A’s on Friday and, in two innings, allowed eight earned runs on four hits and two walks in a loss to the Rangers. Hahn relieved Alcantara in that game and fired six innings of seven-hit, two-run ball. His placement in the rotation might not last long, with Sonny Gray potentially in line to return from from a lat strain by the end of the month.
Donaldson dident leave with a “calf strain” he left with “right calf tightness “
You’re correct. Thanks. I misread the announcement.
Boston fans,
You better hope your starters don’t get hurt and win now cuz Dombrowski will deplete your entire farm system and continue his horrible history of draft picks. He’s big league or bust. He did it in Florida and Detroit and he will his next stop in a few years when bosox dry up.
That is Drombrowski’s style….
1 World Series title.
He’s a big budget movie that goes nowhere.
His teams are almost always in the playoffs. They’re regularly a realistic pick to win the World Series. His lack of more rings are more attributed to how hard it is to win a title. Does he deplete his system? Yes he does. But that’s why you hire him. You put all your chips on the table to win a championship. If anything is to be questioned it’s giving nine-figure contracts to players who will be in their late 30s by the time it’s complete.
Sorry it happened, but it’s a reminder don’t drink and drive…
that’s why they won’t release the report… he was drunk as a skunk
If you’re so sorry it happened you wouldn’t be on here running your mouth. Maybe Lowtalker should learn WHEN to talk
I’m sorry that Jose Fernandez died, but I think it is also a good case of reminding people of the dangers of operating things while impaired and how one’s actions can not only impact themselves but those around them.
Just because you are sorry that something happened doesn’t mean that you need to keep silent about it, that’s just stupid.
If he was indeed drunk at the time of the accident (i haven’t seen anything to say he was, so this is hypothetical) it shouldn’t just be ignored because people are sorry it happened.
Agreed
Chester gets it
It doesn’t matter if you don’t have two pennies to rub together or you have several thousand dollar bills rubbing together in your pocket. This type of tragic event can happen to anyone.
If you want to take part in anything legal or illegal do it responsibly. Don’t drink and drive, don’t boat on coke. Don’t operate anything on any substance.
You’re just a bitter troll that needs a wake up call.
The fact that they won’t ever release the report says there is a good inclination he was under something
Be safe, not just for your life, but for everyone other life out there