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Blue Jays lose Donaldson, Bautista to injury in ALDS opener

Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Toronto Blue Jays lost both Jose Bautista and Josh Donaldson to injuries in their series opener with the Texas Rangers on Thursday, but the two superstars could return to action for Friday's Game 2 of the ALDS.

Donaldson, who took a knee to the head while sliding into second base in the fourth inning, was removed from the game for precautionary reasons. He passed all concussion tests and will be re-evaluated Friday.

"I think he got a little light-headed, something wasn't right, but he did pass the test, so that's a good sign," manager John Gibbons told reporters after Toronto's 5-3 loss.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

Bautista, meanwhile, was diagnosed with mild right hamstring tightness after exiting in the ninth due to cramps. Gibbons sounded optimistic his slugger would be ready to return to the lineup for Game 2.

"It was the ninth inning - for me to get back to the plate would've taken a big enough rally that we would've gotten enough runs to get the win anyway," Bautista said. "So it made no sense for me to go out to right field and play defense and aggravate it."

The Blue Jays will look to even the series when they send Marcus Stroman to battle Cole Hamels in the second game of the best-of-five. First pitch is expected to fly at 12:30 p.m. ET.

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