Blue Jays injury news: Josh Donaldson headed for an MRI

Another day, another lineup without Josh Donaldson for the Toronto Blue Jays.

What initially began as a minor day of rest for the reigning American League MVP has developed into three consecutive days off the field, and today general manager Ross Atkins told reporters that the Blue Jays will be sending Donaldson for an MRI on his injured hip.

Donaldson has been receiving treatment on the injury and it was not expected to cost him significant time, but Atkins added that he has not been improving at the rate they thought.

The timing here is obviously very difficult for the Blue Jays, who still sit 2.0 games behind the division-leading Boston Red Sox after falling 6-2 to the Tampa Bay Rays last night. With the clock ticking on 2016, including some pivotal games against Boston, Baltimore, and New York, Donaldson’s health could be the most important factor in Toronto’s playoff run.

Donaldson’s injury also comes on the back of a brief slump at the plate. Over his past seven games, Donaldson had failed to record a hit in 31 at-bats. His eight walks over that same span do help to make up for his quiet bat, though.

On the season, Donaldson is hitting .284 with a .400 on-base percentage, 34 home runs, and 92 RBI.