Josh Donaldson admits it害羞草研究所檚 tough to say goodbye to the Toronto Blue Jays.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 害羞草研究所� been difficult to the extreme that I am leaving an organization that I was very much a big part of,害羞草研究所� the new Cleveland Indians third baseman said Sunday in an introductory press conference after a trade on Friday.
害羞草研究所淚 had some quality years there that I害羞草研究所檓 not going to forget. But I害羞草研究所檓 also looking forward to trying to help this team win and moving forward as well.害羞草研究所�
The Blue Jays dealt the 2015 AL MVP to the Indians for a player to be named later, continuing a rebuild process that has seen the team cut ties with some of its biggest stars from the 2015-16 playoff squads.
Donaldson has been out of the Blue Jays lineup since late May, dealing with a nagging calf injury. He played in a rehab game with single-A Dunedin on Tuesday, allowing the Blue Jays to place Donaldson on waivers and trade him prior to Friday害羞草研究所檚 deadline for players to become eligible to join a post-season roster.
害羞草研究所淚f I was writing a book, it害羞草研究所檚 not how I would have wanted it to go, but hopefully it has a happy ending,害羞草研究所� said Donaldson, who becomes a free agent at the end of the season.
READ MORE:
Donaldson did not provide a timeline for his return, but seemed to indicate he won害羞草研究所檛 be out too much longer.
害羞草研究所淚 feel very good about where I害羞草研究所檓 at right now,害羞草研究所� said Donaldson, who took batting practice and ran the bases and did agility drills Sunday. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檇 rather not talk about it. I害羞草研究所檇 rather you see it and judge for yourself.害羞草研究所�
Indians president Chris Antonetti and manager Terry Francona met with Donaldson after his workout. It害羞草研究所檚 still unclear what Donaldson will need to do before he害羞草研究所檚 ready to take over at third base. He could continue to work with the team or play on a minor league rehab assignment.
害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 what we害羞草研究所檙e still working on,害羞草研究所� Donaldson said. 害羞草研究所淲henever that schedule is finalized between all parties, I害羞草研究所檓 sure it害羞草研究所檚 going to be addressed, how we害羞草研究所檙e going to move forward.害羞草研究所�
In Cleveland, Donaldson reunites with former Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion. The two were seen talking in the dugout after Donaldson arrived Saturday night.
害羞草研究所淲e had a lot of fond memories together as teammates 害羞草研究所� I害羞草研究所檓 sure if you asked him as well, we害羞草研究所檙e excited about creating some new ones,害羞草研究所� Donaldson said.
While the ending in Toronto was anything but perfect, Donaldson said he害羞草研究所檚 happy to be in Cleveland.
害羞草研究所淚 was excited because of the players you have in this clubhouse and how they害羞草研究所檝e been able to have success throughout the years,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 also excited (because) if you probably go look back at my numbers in this ballpark, they害羞草研究所檙e pretty nice. I害羞草研究所檓 glad I害羞草研究所檓 going into a situation where I害羞草研究所檝e had success before.害羞草研究所�
The 32-year-old Donaldson batted .234 with five home runs and 16 RBIs this season for the Blue Jays. He hasn害羞草研究所檛 played since May 28 because of the calf injury. He also was out from April 11-May 2 with a shoulder problem.
The Indians begin a four-game series in Toronto on Thursday.
害羞草研究所� with files from the Associated Press
The Canadian Press
