Blue Jays’ Donaldson, Tulowitzki to return to lineup on Friday

Oct 9, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) celebrates with teammates after scoring the winning run to defeat the Texas Rangers in the 10th inning of game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson (20) celebrates with teammates after scoring the winning run to defeat the Texas Rangers in the 10th inning of game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

With 11 players currently on the DL, the Toronto Blue Jays will receive two big additions to their lineup for their upcoming weekend series against the Texas Rangers.

Josh Donaldson and Troy Tulowitzki are set to rejoin the Toronto Blue Jays lineup on Friday night when they open up their 10 game homestand that starts with a three-game series against the Texas Rangers.

The news came from Sportsnet 590 when general manager Ross Atkins made a guest appearance on The Jeff Blair Show earlier this morning.

“The plan is for those guys to play tomorrow. That will be a great addition to our team,”.

It will be a great addition indeed. Both Blue Jay infielders will return from class-A Dunedin after a week of rehab. The “Bringer of Rain” has been out with a strained right calf since  April 13 and Tulo has been out with a strained right hamstring since April 21.

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The additions to the roster means that players such as Ryan Goins, Darwin Barney, and Chris Coghlan will see a decreased work load. Though, all three utility players do deserve credit for tremendous efforts in the Blue Jays lineup in their absence.

Toronto (21-26) has found ways to win this month since starting the season 2-11. The Blue Jays are 7 1/2 games back of first in the American League East. They are currently on a three-game winning streak after completing a much needed series sweep against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The good news keeps coming for the Blue Jays as Francisco Liriano will begin bullpen session  this weekend.  J.A. Happ will make his first rehab start with High-A Dunedin later today.

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Now that we know both Donaldson and Tulowitzki are actually returning, it couldn’t have come at a better time. The Blue Jays are swinging some hot bats right now and with two more additions, the lineup has improved significantly.