Blue Jays slugger Donaldson returns to third base after resting arm

Toronto Blue Jays slugger Josh Donaldson’s four-game run as designated hitter ended Tuesday with his return to third base.

Donaldson experienced a ‘dead-arm’ issue in the regular-season opener last Thursday against the New York Yankees. He was slated to bat second on Tuesday night against the Chicago White Sox at Rogers Centre.

“Today was just kind of the target date,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said before the game. “He got his work in the last few days and he felt good.”

Donaldson played catch in the outfield and took grounders at third base during batting practice over the last few days.

His return to third base allowed Kendrys Morales to move back into his regular DH spot and bat sixth in the order. Cleanup hitter Yangervis Solarte moved from third to second base.

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When Donaldson last played in the field, his throws across the diamond were much weaker than normal.

The 2015 American League most valuable player was limited in spring training by a shoulder issue. He started just seven pre-season games at third base.

Donaldson said he did some minor tinkering with his throwing technique during the pre-season, but is back using his normal motion.

“I was trying to play with some things to see if I could find something that would alleviate what was going on,” he said Monday night. “This time I was just like, ‘Hey whatever feels natural for me, that’s what I want to do.’

“So far it’s played out very nice.”

Donaldson hit 33 homers and drove in 78 runs over 113 games in 2017. He posted a .270 batting average last season. 

He hit his first homer of the year in a 4-2 win over the White Sox in the opener of the three-game series.

Donaldson entered play Tuesday with three hits in 17 at-bats this season (.176 BA) with four runs scored.

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Follow @GregoryStrongCP on Twitter.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press