The rehab stint is finally underway and reports suggest that a few teams are scouting the Blue Jays’ third baseman in Dunedin. Can I guess that the Braves are one of those watching him?
Well, the Atlanta Braves need a bat… or two… and haven’t been able to get any claims to stick thus far in August. So now – conveniently in the nick of time – Jays’ third baseman Josh Donaldson is well enough to play in the Florida State League this week. Should the Braves try this?
Donaldson batted second tonight and so far… is not doing badly for somebody who hadn’t seen a competitive pitch since Memorial Day.
#BlueJays Josh Donaldson with an RBI single and a walk in two plate appearances so far in his first rehab game with Dunedin.
— Aaron Schulze (@SchulzeCFJC) August 29, 2018
As I write this, he’s now had a third (and final) plate appearance: a fly out to center field.
Just as important, though, is his defense. Turns out he didn’t even get a chance to think about that before his glove got involved: the very first Palm Beach Cardinal batter of the game grounded one in his direction. One throw across the diamond to Kacy Clemens (yes – he’s Roger’s son) and the first out was recorded.
Aside from that, there hasn’t been much in Donaldson’s direction: a ‘soft fly’ double to left field and a pop out was all.
That third plate appearance marked the end of his night: Donaldson was replaced as the 6th inning began. No word on whether this was part of the plan, but it does appear that all is well with him:
So the next step begins… tomorrow.