The Blue Jays have activated Josh Donaldson from the 10-day disabled list and opened a roster spot by placing Justin Smoak on the paternity list, per Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi (Twitter link).
Donaldson, 32, hit the DL back on April 10 due to a shoulder issue that was impacting his ability to throw across the diamond. He played third base in a pair of minor league rehab games, however, and obviously showed well enough there that the Toronto organization felt comfortable bringing the 2015 AL MVP back to the big league roster for what figures to be regular work at his customary position.
Donaldson opened the season with a .239/.352/.457 slash and three homers through 55 plate appearances, and early reports indicated that the shoulder wasn’t really hampering his ability to swing the bat. He’ll look to improve upon that early pace as he aims to match the outrageous .302/.410/.698 line that he posted over his final 227 plate appearances last season, when he finished out the year as one of the hottest hitters in the game.
The manner in which Donaldson acquits himself both at the hot corner and at the plate will be critical, as he’s on the cusp of reaching free agency for the first time. If Donaldson can produce at anywhere near the torrid .285/.387/.559 clip he posted through his first three seasons in Toronto and handle throwing from third to first without issue, then April’s dead arm will likely be viewed as a mere blip on the radar.
A healthy Donaldson would have an easy case for a nine-figure deal even though he’ll play the 2019 season at age 33. If the shoulder troubles prove to be an ongoing issue throughout the ’18 season, however, there’s obvious potential for them to severely impact his earning power on the open market. Donaldson ranked fourth on the first edition of MLBTR’s monthly Free Agent Power Rankings, trailing only Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Clayton Kershaw.
welcome back !!!!!
So in the double header today I’m guessing one game Donaldson plays 3rd the other he DHs, with smoaky not playing that means one game morales will be at 1st… uh ohh
They didn’t DL Pearce, so maybe he’s able to play 1st in one game? Solarte in the other?
A possible Kendrys sighting at the one-bag.
What are his home/road splits? Is he another Car-Go?
Donaldson? He was one of the games best players in O.co coliseum
280/368/523 at home and 273/367/497 away. Nothing noteworthy, nor would I expect it. Rogers Centre is a little hitter friendly but nothing that would grossly distort a player’s numbers. JD was great in Oakland, too.
Car-Go? You mean nearly every Colorado player ever? Remember, I said “nearly”.
Jd is an elite player when healthy. He can put a team on his shoulders and carry it.
When Smoak comes back unless there is another injury or phantom injury, Diaz has got to go down.
It is going to be sad to see Jd go at the trade deadline. Jays will be sellers by then.
Need Diaz for SS. Solarte should only play short in a pinch.
Gurriel’s the better SS.
Diaz is not a great SS. Barely passes for a SS, that is why St Louis moved him to 2nd.] He boots too many SS opportunities.
Never said he was great. Passable and they need at least two who can play it. Gurriel the other.
Jimmer I don’t see the Jays dropping Diaz. Diaz should be demoted.