Josh Donaldson, the third baseman for the New York Yankees, has been absent from the team’s lineup for several weeks due to a hamstring strain. According to recent reports, it is likely that he will miss several more weeks while he recovers from the injury.
The news of Donaldson’s extended absence is a blow to the Yankees, who were counting on his bat and his glove to help them make a push for the playoffs. Donaldson, who was acquired from the Minnesota Twins in a trade earlier this season, had been hitting .215 with six home runs and 12 RBI in 36 games for the Yankees.
While Donaldson’s performance at the plate was not necessarily up to his usual standards, his defense had been a bright spot for the team. He had committed just one error in 30 games at third base for the Yankees, solidifying a position that had been a weakness for the team in previous seasons.
The Yankees will now have to find a way to replace Donaldson’s production and his defensive skills while he is out of commission. They will likely turn to a combination of players, including Miguel Andujar and Gio Urshela, to fill the void at third base.
Andujar, who has been primarily used as a designated hitter this season, has played third base in the past and could see more time there while Donaldson is on the shelf. Urshela, who has been a bit of a disappointment at the plate this season, will also be called upon to play a larger role in the lineup.
The longer Donaldson is out, the more difficult it will be for the Yankees to make up ground in the standings. They are currently sitting in third place in the American League East, six games behind the division-leading Boston Red Sox.
Despite the setback, the Yankees remain optimistic that they can turn things around and make a push for the playoffs. They have a talented roster and plenty of time left in the season to make a run.
But for now, they will have to do it without one of their key players, as Josh Donaldson focuses on recovering from his hamstring strain and getting back to full strength.
