Donaldson forced from Game 1 after taking knee to head
Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson was removed from Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Thursday after taking a knee to his head during a slide in the fourth inning.
Donaldson, who played defensively the next inning, passed all concussion testing, and will be re-evaluated Friday to determine his availability for Game 2, the team announced.
He suffered the injury when he made contact with Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor while successfully breaking up a double play. The Blue Jays described Donaldson's fifth-inning exit as precautionary.
Ezequiel Carrera pinch-hit for Donaldson in the bottom of the fifth, and Cliff Pennington took over defensively at third.
(Courtesy: MLB.com)
Donaldson was the second All-Star third baseman to leave the pivotal game, joining Adrian Beltre on the bench after the Rangers slugger exited with lower back stiffness in the third.
Donaldson's exit was significant for the Blue Jays, who were trailing 4-2 at the time of the injury, and went on to lose 5-3. The MVP candidate hit a team-leading 41 homers and 123 RBIs for the AL East champs.
"Hopefully he can bounce back and be back in the lineup tomorrow," catcher Russell Martin said. "He's an MVP. Obviously you want that guy playing."
- With files from The Associated Press