When Josh Donaldson came to the New York Yankees in a March 2022 trade alongside Isiah Kiner-Falefa, fans had reason to be excited. Donaldson, although already 35, had solid credentials. The 2015 AL MVP winner and three-time All-Star in the mid-2010s.
Although everyone is aware of Donaldson’s steady offensive decline, no one could have predicted the implosion of his career with the Yankees. Despite releasing a single on the club’s 2022 opening day, things quickly started to go pear-shaped.
Josh Donaldson finished the 2022 season with a .222/.308/.374 slant line with 15 home runs and 62 RBIs. While his stats last year were career lows, nothing could have prepared him for 2023.
•
In 33 games for the New York Yankees in 2022, Josh Donaldson beats just .142. Although he has shown some power, with 10 homers, his average just isn’t enough for the fans. On July 16, the team announced it would be heading to the injured list for the second time this season.
“Prior to today’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves: – Place INF Josh Donaldson on the 10-day injured list with a sprained right calf. – INF Oswald recall Peraza (#91) from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.” – Yankees Public Relations Department
According to the team, the injury occurred in the seventh inning of the Yankees’ game against the Colorado Rockies SATURDAY. Although the illness involves Donaldson’s calf, the third baseman missed more than six weeks earlier this season due to hamstring issues.
Normally, the relegation of a former MVP to the IL would be considered unwelcome news for a fan base. However, in Donaldson’s case, Yankees fans seem thrilled that he won’t be around for a while.
Over the past thirty days, the Yankees have been one of the most impactful teams in MLB. Averaging .228 over that span, the team has seen many of its supposed stars face struggles at home plate. To make the team’s headache worse, captain and 2022 home run champion Judge Aaron has been sidelined since early June and has given no possible date for his return.
Are injuries paving Josh Donaldson’s path to retirement?
This year, the Minnesota Twins will pay Donaldson a final $21 million on a $92 million contract he signed four years ago. While Donaldson was once strong in the league, his obviously bloated contracts and lingering injury troubles mean the Yankees look more than likely to exercise their $6 million retirement buyout at the end of the year.
