Blue Jays’ Josh Donaldson set to return, Pearce nursing injury

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson is set to return from a shoulder injury today while Steve Pearce continues to nurse a ribcage injury that has forced him to miss the last two contests versus the Minnesota Twins.

Josh Donaldson has been sidelined with shoulder inflammation since April 10th after the third baseman was having difficulty making throws across the diamond. The Blue Jays initially chalked up the injury to a “dead arm” however the nagging ailment finally cost Donaldson a stint on the disabled list.

According to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, the Blue Jays will activate the former MVP in time for their doubleheader with the Cleveland Indians today. Donaldson spent two games with the Dunedin Blue Jays connecting for two doubles and a walk in six trips to the plate.

The 17-13 Jays were 8-9 during Donaldson’s absence from the lineup, he will surely be a welcomed addition to the lineup for their double-dip today and moving forward as Toronto attempts to keep pace with the Red Sox and Yankees.

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As Donaldson is poised for his return the Blue Jays may be without outfielder Steve Pearce who is nursing a ribcage injury. The injury has the makings of an oblique issue after Pearce felt some discomfort during batting practice a couple days earlier.

Pearce has missed the team’s last two games versus the Twins after getting off to a hot start to begin the 2018 campaign. In 21 games, Pearce is hitting a solid .270/.333/.492 with three homers and 13 runs batted in thus far. He has also come up with some timely hits for the upstart Jays early on.

Hopefully, the injury does not require a DL stint, however, the Jays may require him to go on the 10-day DL just to free up an available roster spot rather than have him sitting on the bench. The Jays are already down an outfielder with Randal Grichuk on the shelf with a knee injury.

Next: Blue Jays: The Unexpected Power of Yangervis Solarte

Regardless the return of Donaldson will greatly increase the Jays chances to continue their winning ways in the month of May.