Twins activate Donaldson from IL after 30-game absence
The slumping Minnesota Twins are about to get a big boost for the stretch run.
Third baseman Josh Donaldson, the team's marquee free-agent signing this past offseason, was activated from the injured list Wednesday after missing over a month with a calf injury. Donaldson is expected to be in the lineup Wednesday when the Twins face the Chicago White Sox at Target Field.
"I feel great," the former AL MVP said, according to Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic. "Everything feels great. I'm excited to get out there today. I want to be able to go out there and play without thinking about anything. That's why it has taken to this point. We were cautious with it and I feel ready to go."
Donaldson suffered the right calf strain during the opening week of the season and ended up missing 30 games due to the injury. It wasn't the first time he'd dealt with calf problems; similar issues cost him a large portion of 2018. After that injury-filled '18 campaign, he rebounded strongly with the Atlanta Braves and won NL Comeback Player of the Year in 2019. He signed a four-year, $92-million deal with Minnesota this past January.
The 34-year-old hit .182/.296/.318 with a homer and four walks over his first seven games with the Twins before landing on the IL.
In a corresponding move, Minnesota designated infielder Ildemaro Vargas for assignment.