House That Hank Built
Fansided

Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: pros and cons of claiming Josh Donaldson

By Alan Carpenter

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 15: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Toronto Blue Jays is unable to throw out Juan Lagares #12 of the New York Mets in the fifth inning at Citi Field on May 15, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 15: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Toronto Blue Jays is unable to throw out Juan Lagares #12 of the New York Mets in the fifth inning at Citi Field on May 15, 2018 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
BOSTON, MA – MAY 28: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Toronto Blue Jays leaves the game and is replace by pinch runner Giovanny Urshela #3 of the Toronto Blue Jays in the top of the fifth inning of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – MAY 28: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Toronto Blue Jays leaves the game and is replace by pinch runner Giovanny Urshela #3 of the Toronto Blue Jays in the top of the fifth inning of the game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on May 28, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /

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.

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.

Home/Braves Rumors