TORONTO – Just as Josh Donaldson enters the final stages of his recovery from a strained right calf, the same injury landed Steve Pearce on the disabled list Monday, with the Toronto Blue Jays recalling right-hander Leonel Campos from triple-A Buffalo.
Pearce, who left Sunday’s 3-2 win over Seattle after hitting a double, underwent an MRI that revealed the strain and at the moment there’s no timeline for his return.
“It’s tough to say–I mean, look at Donaldson, so who knows?” said manager John Gibbons.
Though the Blue Jays were still mapping out the precise next steps for their all-star third baseman, Gibbons suggested a return for Donaldson could come “hopefully maybe…on the weekend.”
He’s been out since April 14, when he hit a double and re-aggravated the calf injury he first suffered during spring training and tweaked again on the season’s first weekend.
A rehab assignment is likely this week although that remains to be finalized. In recent days, Donaldson has picked up the pace of his hitting, running and fielding, gradually taking on more exertion.
“He’s been doing a little bit of everything,” said Gibbons.
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As for the spate of injuries the Blue Jays have suffered, Gibbons said: “We’re looking at some things around here, if we need to make some adjustments, that kind of thing.”
A Donaldson return this weekend would further bolster a Blue Jays roster slowly getting healthy. Troy Tulowitzki was slated to play his first rehab game for single-A Dunedin on Monday night, with a return possible later this week, while Russell Martin continues to make progress with his shoulder.
Campos returns a day after being optioned to accommodate the activation of Aaron Sanchez, leaving the Blue Jays with two position players on their bench.
“I don’t think it’s going to last long,” said Gibbons. “There are some guys in the ‘pen we want to stay away from unless we absolutely need them, got a lead or something. That’s the thinking behind there. …
“There might be a position player to come as soon as (Tuesday), strengthen the bench.”
Ezequiel Carrera started in left Monday night but Gibbons noted that Darwin Barney, Chris Coghlan and Ryan Goins could also fill-in as needed.
