Donaldson suffers setback, out at least 3 more weeks with calf strain

Josh Donaldson won't be returning to the Toronto Blue Jays' lineup anytime soon.

Sidelined since May 28 due to a left calf injury, Donaldson suffered a setback while rehabbing in Florida, the team announced Tuesday, prompting an MRI that revealed an acute strain of his left calf. He will be re-evaluated in three weeks, effectively meaning he won't rejoin the Blue Jays until after the All-Star break.

"He was moving along fine, and then something happened," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons told Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling. "It's been a frustrating year for him. He's actually been hanging in there OK, all things considered. But he's frustrated."

With the Blue Jays' playoff chances looking decidedly bleak, Donaldson, an impending free agent, was poised to be one of the most highly coveted players ahead of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. However, the third baseman's market value is rapidly disintegrating.

Forced to the disabled list in April due to a shoulder issue, Donaldson has appeared in just 36 games this season, and his performance both at the plate and afield has left much to be desired. Between his stints on the DL, the three-time All-Star has accrued just 0.7 WAR, hitting .234/.333/.423 (105 wRC+) with five home runs and a 27.7 percent strikeout rate in 159 plate appearances.