DUNEDIN, FLA.—It was the first day of full-squad workouts for the Blue Jays, and third baseman Josh Donaldson was unable to participate. Donaldson tweaked his right calf muscle during a running drill Friday and spent Saturday being re-examined and undergoing an MRI with team doctors. It is the same calf that hobbled the 2015 AL MVP last April.
Donaldson had been in and around the Jays’ camp for several days already, coming out late in the afternoons to throw with teammates, do some running and work in the weight room. The results of his MRI are expected to be announced Sunday.
“Josh does a very good job of taking care of himself,” Jays general manager Ross Atkins said, downplaying concern over a lengthy absence. “He’s put himself in a great position this off-season and he’s in really good shape. He also recovers very well. When you factor all of that in, it mitigates the concern to some extent.”
- Catcher Russell Martin also skipped the full-team workout with what was described by team officials as “a fever.” Martin had taken part in all of the workouts for pitchers and catchers that commenced on Wednesday.
- Atkins also suggested utility man Steve Pearce, who underwent an elbow procedure at the end of the 2016 season and is restricted in his throwing, could be ready to play left field by opening day, if his recovery proceeds on schedule. It was originally believed the 33-year-old free-agent acquisition would be restricted to first base in April.
“One of our best teams could be if Justin Smoak is playing first base every day for us,” Atkins said. “That would give us the most versatility, just to have that as an alternative. Projecting for Steve to play a good amount of outfield and for Justin to play a good amount of first base — then to have alternatives and flexibility — that would be the best-case scenario.”
- The Jays are taking things slowly with second baseman Devon Travis, who was left with bruising around the joint after arthroscopic surgery to his right knee in November. He took batting practice on the field, Saturday, but was otherwise restricted. The goal is to have him ready to start the season.
Atkins preached a similar slow-and-steady approach towards both Pearce and Travis. “We wanted to make sure we’re being conservative on that front in the event that it means they can’t play on opening day, full speed,” Atkins said. “We’ll take that risk at the expense of a bigger setback.”
- Manager John Gibbons also revealed that, with the extra few days of spring training, the late start that some of his starting pitchers are scheduled for, and the fact that there is a split-squad game on the second day of the Grapefruit League season, that he has not scheduled any intra-squad games for the Jays.
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