Report: Blue Jays’ Josh Donaldson to begin Dunedin rehab assignment

Ben Nicholson-Smith tells Jeff Blair that if Josh Donaldson comes back healthy in September and has a month like he did last season, they might have to give him a qualifying offer.

Emily Sadler August 26, 2018, 1:41 PM

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson is set to begin a rehab assignment, according to a report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.

Josh Donaldson will begin a rehab assignment in the next 48 hours in Dunedin, Fla., for the #BlueJays . He could be traded by Aug. 31 if he shows he's healthy. The pending free-agent 3B hasn't played since May 29 with a left calf injury.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) August 26, 2018

Donaldson’s rehab stint will take place in Dunedin, Fla., and could result in a trade if he proves he’s healthy enough to contribute in a major-league game. If he is to be traded, the transaction would have to be completed by Aug. 31, otherwise he will be ruled ineligible to participate in the post-season with his new club.

For context…

Teams can't place players on August waivers unless they're demonstrably in game shape (either on active roster or playing to full capacity in rehab games)#BlueJays can't have placed Josh Donaldson on waivers yet since he doesn't meet that requirement yet

— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) August 26, 2018

Rumours emerged on Saturday around Donaldson’s status with the team after his Rogers Centre locker was recently cleared out.

Josh Donaldson asked #BlueJays staff to pack his locker so he has his things. "I want to play soon and wanted to make sure I have everything I need to do that," Donaldson said via team spokesman

— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) August 26, 2018

Donaldson has been limited to just 36 games this season because of a lingering calf injury that has kept him out of play since May 28. The 32-year-old pending free agent has registered a .234/.333/.423 batting line this season.

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