The Toronto Blue Jays are giving Josh Donaldson Friday night off for their game against the Seattle Mariners, marking the first time the third baseman has been left out of the lineup since he was acquired from the Oakland Athletics.
Donaldson has struggled against Mariners starter Felix Hernandez in the past, hitting just .182 in 33 career plate appearances against King Felix.
Playing his first four seasons in Oakland meant that Donaldson was able to get well-acquainted with the Mariners ace, but it was Hernandez who has always had the upper hand, striking the third baseman out eight times while yielding just one home run to the Jays slugger.
Danny Valencia will make the start at third base in Donaldson’s stead, making his third start at third base in 2015 and his first since April 24 against the Tampa Bay Rays. Valencia’s track record against Hernandez is no better than Donaldson’s. In 14 career at-bats he has managed just two hits, posting a .143 batting average.
Munenori Kawasaki will make his 2015 debut for the Blue Jays on Friday night against the team he made his MLB debut with. The beloved second baseman was called up from triple-A Buffalo to replace Devon Travis, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list.
Kawasaki, who played in 61 career games with the Mariners, has batted .222 with seven doubles and 17 RBI in 22 games with the Buffalo Bisons this season. He will bat ninth in the Blue Jays’ order.
After managing just one hit across the last three games, Jose Bautista will look to kick-start his offence and continue his past success against King Felix. In 21 career at-bats against the ace, Bautista has batted .333 with two home runs and two RBI.
