Donaldson nears return after running bases with 'no issues'

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson checked off another box in his recovery from a right calf strain.

Donaldson ran the bases Saturday for the first time since suffering the injury in mid-February, and didn't report any setbacks.

"Everything went really well," Donaldson said, according to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet. "No problems, no issues."

He added, "That was the first time I've run the bases in a while. But I felt like I was getting up to top speed with no issues. Hopefully I'll be back in a couple days."

Donaldson's health will continue to be monitored, though it looks like he could appear in his first spring training game as soon as next week. While he has been brought along slowly, the three-time All-Star has kept busy by getting at-bats in minor-league games, but hasn't run the bases or played defensively.

Given his progress, Donaldson is fully expected to be in the lineup come Opening Day.