Josh Donaldson setback proves Yankees injury luck is nonexistent

The New York Yankees won’t be getting third baseman Josh Donaldson back at the time they expected, as he suffered an injury at home.

The New York Yankees were hit hard by injuries early on this season, with big players like Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Carlos Rodon, and Luis Severino hitting the injured list. The Yankees have gotten Judge back, who has been on a tear, and Severino is expected to make his season debut on Sunday, starting against the Cincinnati Reds.

But, one player who is already on the injured list has suffered a slight setback.

MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch shared the news that third baseman Josh Donaldson suffered a minor setback in his recovery from a hamstring strain after slicing his thumb while building something at his home.

Yankees: Josh Donaldson suffers setback after injury at home

As Hoch mentions, Donaldson is now set to return around the same time as Stanton, who is recovering from a left hamstring injury suffered in mid-April, which carried a four-to-six-week return table. Manager Aaron Boone said recently that Stanton could begin his rehab assignment soon.

Donaldson was brought to the Yankees last offseason in a trade with the Minnesota Twins. While he was a plus defender at the hot corner, he struggled in the batter’s box, which caught the ire of the fanbase, especially in the playoffs.

In the regular season, Donaldson recorded a .222 batting average, a .308 on-base percentage, a .374 slugging percentage, 15 home runs, 59 runs scored, 62 RBI, 106 hits, and 148 strikeouts in 478 at-bats (132 games). In the postseason, Donaldson slashed .172/.333/.207 while recording one run scored five hits, seven walks, and 16 strikeouts in 29 at-bats (nine games played).

This year, Donaldson was active for just five games. He last played in the team’s Apr. 5 game against the Philadelphia Phillies where he exited due to the strained hamstring.

Donaldson’s stay on the sidelines has been extended. For now, expect the Yankees to continue using the combination of D.J. LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Isiah Kiner-Falefa at third base.