Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson left their game against the Indians on Friday with right calf tightness, per Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com. He’s day-to-day.
While we don’t know if this is a serious injury, it’s worth noting that right calf problems have troubled Donaldson in the past. They played a part in limiting the former AL MVP to just 52 games in 2018 between the Blue Jays and Indians. That was a contract year for Donaldson, who still scored a one-year, $23MM deal with the Braves in the ensuing offseason. He stayed healthy in Atlanta last season, batted .259/.379/.521 with 37 home runs in 659 plate appearances, and then joined the Twins on a four-year, $92MM pact over the winter.
So far, the 34-year-old Donaldson has batted a paltry .182/.296/.318 with one homer in 27 PA as a Twin, though one can’t draw conclusions from such a small sample size. The Twins are certainly counting on Donaldson to be a major force in their lineup this season and during coming years. If he does miss time as a result of this injury, though, the Twins have other experienced third base options in Ehire Adrianza (who came in for Donaldson on Friday), Marwin Gonzalez, Luis Arraez and Miguel Sano on their 30-man roster.
Braves were wise to move on. while Donaldson is a great player, that contract has the chance to be disastrous.
Unlike the Braves at the time the Twins had the option of making Donaldson full time DH next year once Nelson Cruz’s contract was up.
Royce Lewis and Alex Kirilloff are going to be up this year or next.
Makes sense to put Lewis at 3B, or Polanco and Lewis at SS. Then put Donaldson at DH.
You want to get rid of Nelson Cruz?
At some point they will have to stop paying the guy. Wyoming was just pointing it out as an option.
I still believe the Braves should have retained Donaldson; but what’s done, is done. He’s always been one of my favorites to watch though for how he plays the game. He’s a special hitter, too. I have zero doubt that he’ll do well for Minnesota, and I’ll always root for the guy against anyone but Atlanta.
I agree. It seems to me he is always injured
Wow. Best of luck Bringer of Rain Man.
Bringer of Rain Man was Charlie Babbitt.
97 X BAM…
Everybody knows Kmart sucks
Usually you get 8 fish sticks? You want to eat 8? You’re not happy unless you have eight Fish Sticks? Fine, (chop) eight.
296 ? 296 what ? What are you talking about Ray, 296 what?
296 toothpicks… 296.
Wrong Ray, the Box says 300. Let’s go.
Waitress: “there’s still 4 in the Box.”
Im a Braves fan and I still don’t want to see this. I really hope this doesn’t sideline him long. He did a lot for the Braves last year
Yes he did, Ozuna’s bat has been pretty good so far, but his defense isn’t close to Donaldson’s. I feel like Donaldson’s defense is overshadowed by his offense. I didn’t realize how good he was on defense until I saw him play regularly.
Donaldson is just the right amount of ***hole. I mean that as a compliment – I’d take JD on my team any day.
Calf tightness sure a mysterious ailment among many athletes. I found for myself there’s no stretching there’s nothing I could do to help except for improved arch support in my sneakers. Hope that helps somebody reading this. It’s helped other basketball players I’ve passed it on to.
I remember being so frustrated I would start running and halfway through the second game I’d be done, couldn’t run. Wait 2 weeks rest feel fine happen again. Thought I would have to give up the game. Put in a couple of arch thingies in my basketball shoes and played another 15 years. As I said, I hope that help somebody.
I hope it’s minor and he comes back soon. Great player.
Calf injuries are JDs Achilles heel..
Let’s hope he heals soon. A player as good as JD needs to be on the field.
JD is a great player. Lived him up here in Toronto. Only problem is he takes a longer time than most to heal.