The latest wrinkle in the Josh Donaldson trade saga

Mark Suleymanov

The latest wrinkle in the Josh Donaldson trade saga image

The chances of Josh Donaldson being traded this week took a major blow on Wednesday.

The Blue Jays' third baseman, currently on a rehab assignment with Single-A Dunedin, was not in the lineup on Wednesday due to soreness in his calves and legs, per Sportsnet. Donaldson was in Tuesday's lineup for Dunedin, going 1-for-2 with an RBI in his first professional game since May 28. Donaldson originally hit the disabled list with a strained left calf muscle.

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Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Toronto placed the 32-year-old third baseman on waivers, adding that the organization wants Donaldson "gone" ahead of Friday's waiver trade deadline.

Former Major League Baseball general manager Steve Phillips notes that Toronto may have to pull Donaldson off waivers. Due to the setback, the Blue Jays cannot certify that interested teams would be acquiring a healthy player. 

Donaldson, the 2015 American League Most Valuable Player, slashed .234/.333/.423 with five home runs and 16 runs batted in through 36 games before the injury.

With $3.7 million left on his contract for the remainder of 2018, there was doubt teams would take on the financial burden for an injury-riddled player. With Wednesday's setback, it's likely Donaldson finishes his Blue Jays stint on the sideline as he enters free agency this winter.

 

Mark Suleymanov