Donaldson lands on DL with shoulder inflammation

The Toronto Blue Jays will be without third baseman Josh Donaldson for the next little while, as the team placed the three-time All-Star on the 10-day DL with right shoulder inflammation Friday.

In a corresponding move, the Blue Jays recalled outfielder Teoscar Hernandez from Triple-A Buffalo.

Donaldson has been dealing with a "dead arm," as manager John Gibbons put it, since spring training, and his throwing had been noticeably compromised over the first couple weeks of the season. On Wednesday, Donaldson was omitted from the lineup for the first time this year, and Gibbons was taciturn when asked why he didn't have the one-time AL MVP pinch hit in the top of the eighth inning, trailing by two with a runner on first.

"I chose not to," Gibbons said, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi. "Manager's prerogative."

Donaldson later admitted his shoulder hasn't improved much since the season started, telling reporters following his club's 5-3 loss to the Orioles that he still doesn't "feel great about it."

Still, despite his shoulder trouble, Donaldson has gotten off to a solid start at the plate in 2018, managing an .808 OPS (125 OPS+) with three homers - tying him with Steve Pearce for the team lead - and eight walks in 12 games.

In Donaldson's absence, the Blue Jays will likely install Yangervis Solarte as their everyday third baseman. In 11 games this season, including six starts at third, Solarte has hit .316/.447/.553 (179 OPS+) with two homers, three doubles, and a team-high 0.6 WAR.