(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
New York Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson will miss, at the very least, two more weeks.
Just when he looked set to return from the injured list this week after being on the shelf since April 6, he re-aggravated his injury on Tuesday during a rehab game.
The official diagnosis is a Grade 1 right hamstring strain.
It’s obviously not nice to learn your team will be without a starting infielder for at least a few more weeks.
However, Yankees fans have voiced their opinion via Twitter, and the sentiment is that they are better off without Donaldson at the moment because it means they can give everyday at-bats to DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, and Anthony Volpe.
DJ 3B
Volpe SS
Peraza 2B
Torres DH
— Skye Luque (@LuqueMeatSauce) April 21, 2023
The Yankees are a better team without Josh Donaldson.
— Mike Salvatore (@MikeSalvatore10) April 20, 2023
You don’t want to rush these things, Josh. Do not come back until you are at least 110%. Even if it takes the whole season.
— Alan Sepinwall (@sepinwall) April 21, 2023
He should take all the time he needs we shouldn’t rush him back take til next year it’s fine
— Sean (@seanl9498) April 21, 2023
Donaldson, who struggled offensively last year, was off to a horrible start in 2023.
He had a .489 OPS when he got hurt, with one home run and a .125 batting average.
Now that Giancarlo Stanton is also hurt, the team can use the designated hitter spot to place Gleyber Torres there most nights or rotate when they want to give someone the day off.
Whether Donaldson returns in two weeks or six, Yankees fans have already made their stance clear: they want the team to play the kids.
Volpe, Peraza, and Torres all deserve regular playing time.
Donaldson can still contribute when he returns, although there is a chance he might have to settle for a part-time role depending on how long he takes and how well the “kids” are playing.
For now, they will have a couple of weeks to impress.
The post Fans React To Today’s Josh Donaldson News appeared first on The Cold Wire.