11:13am: The Indians have announced the move. Donaldson will begin a rehab stint with Triple-A Columbus on Monday.
10:35am: The Indians are planning to place just-acquired third baseman Josh Donaldson on the 10-day disabled list, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The move, which is retroactive to Sept. 1, will enable the injured Donaldson to go on a rehab assignment as he continues working his way back from a strained calf.
Cleveland landed Donaldson in a trade with Toronto last week, though the Tribe knew then that it was unclear when Donaldson would be able to make an impact at the major league level. Donaldson’s calf injury has kept him off a big league diamond since the end of May, and as Rosenthal notes, he has only played 11 minor league innings over the past three months. Nevertheless, the Indians were confident enough in Donaldson’s health to take a gamble on the former MVP at the waiver trade deadline.
The Indians are paying Donaldson just $1.3MM of his remaining $4MM salary. Aside from that money, adding Donaldson will only cost the Indians a player to be named later, albeit one “with some value,” as Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reported at the time of the deal. The hope for Cleveland is that it’ll catch lightning in a bottle with Donaldson, who was an elite player from 2013-17, as it heads toward the playoffs.
Assuming Donaldson does return to the majors this year, he’ll bump AL MVP candidate Jose Ramirez from third to second, thus sending second baseman Jason Kipnis to the outfield. In the process, Donaldson will try to rebuild some of his stock as he nears a trip to free agency in the offseason, when he won’t be saddled with a qualifying offer.
Maybe John Mozeliak knew something we didn’t know about Donaldson’s health.
He just needs some more at bats. he’s been hurt for 3 months but had 2 maybe 3 rehab games. going to take a few more to get caught up to speed especially in the field
Indians are a lock for the playoffs. That’s what they got him for.
Interesting
No shocker there
Normal occurrence for a rehab.
Why did the Indians get him?
They couldn’t get Refsnyder……
They had Refsnyder, but thought it was someone else’s turn to have him.
To help in postseason….this was expected as he is rehabbing still.
You’ll find out in October
Don’t think the Indians are in a hurry to rush him back. They’re in cruise control.
Of course he was going to be on the D.L. right away. Toronto only had him play a rehab game so they could trade him.
Cleveland can take their time and keep building him up.
Real question is if he comes back healthy enough to contribute in October.
I thought the minors’ season ended tomorrow?
they play Monday and likely a playoff game. plus their AA affiliate is in the minors so he can always be sent their too
their minor league affiliate is in the minors? you don’t say
IF Donaldson continues in rehab games after today (monday 9/3) it will have to be at another level. AAA Columbus went on a losing streak vs Toledo and missed the playoffs as a result.
AA Akron, High A Lynchburg & Short Season Mahoning Valley all made their respective playoffs.
Lol
AL MVP candidate with a 17.05 era pitching for the braves……
….what?
EDIT: Nvm, Wrong player linked lol
Jose Ramirez
“Assuming Donaldson does return to the majors this year, he’ll bump AL MVP candidate Jose Ramirez from third to second, thus sending second baseman Jason Kipnis to the outfield.”
Well that’s a stupid plan. Just send Kipnis packing. He can’t hit this year.
My apologies. I didn’t see that Kipnis still has another year with the Indians. Hopefully he bounces back.
Or the previous year. Kipnis is basically done.
Quit overreacting, this was a forgone conclusion, that they have to put him on the DL to get him in a minors game to clear him for his return to Cleveland.