Josh Donaldson, the third baseman of the New York Yankees, hasn’t taken off yet.
He is slashing .191/.269/.319 with just one home run in 12 games to open the season: eight as the third baseman and four as the designated hitter.
The team is easing him in, knowing his extensive injury history.
Media personality Jomboy noted on Thursday that “Donaldson has played back to back games at 3B once so far. Either he’s getting extreme load management or maybe somethings nagging him or maybe yanks constructed a roster of 10 starters for 9 spots.”
Quoting Jomboy’s tweet, Sweeny Murti, the Yankees’ beat reporter for WFAN, said that “ATL had a plan with him in 2019 easing him in–started 40 of their first 49 games, then was every day from late May to the end. Donaldson was involved and on board then because of prior leg injuries. This situation probably a little of that and a little of rotation + DH option.”
ATL had a plan with him in 2019 easing him in–started 40 of their first 49 games, then was every day from late May to the end. Donaldson was involved and on board then because of prior leg injuries. This situation probably a little of that and a little of rotation + DH option. https://t.co/nTiO4Xb51g
— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) April 21, 2022
The Yankees Are Probably Just Being Cautious With Donaldson
In recent seasons, Donaldson has suffered a lot with calf injuries in both legs.
He has nursed left and right calf strains a couple of times, so the Yankees are probably just being cautious with their 36-year-old infielder given his history.
They need Donaldson to get going soon, because their offense has looked quite ordinary in 2022, just like what happened in 2021.
Donaldson, who slashed .247/.352/.475 with 26 round-trippers last season with the Minnesota Twins, came to the Yankees in a trade with the Twins, in which New York sent Gio Urshela and Gary Sanchez.
If he struggles or goes down with an injury, the Yanks have the luxury of using DJ LeMahieu in the hot corner, but second baseman Gleyber Torres isn’t producing, either.
There is still time for everybody to turn around their season, though.
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