Blue Jays place 3B Josh Donaldson on DL with shoulder injury

CLEVELAND (AP) - The Toronto Blue Jays have placed third baseman Josh Donaldson on the 10-day disabled with right shoulder inflammation.

Donaldson, the AL’s MVP in 2015, is batting .239 with three home runs and nine RBIs in 12 games. He’s been dealing with the injury since the beginning of the season and will work out in Florida.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Donaldson underwent an MRI at the Cleveland Clinic on Thursday.

“He’ll go down there and get on a throwing program,” Gibbons said. “Hopefully it’s not too long. I don’t think it will be.”

Donaldson has made seven starts at third base while also being used as the designated hitter. Gibbons said Yangervis Solarte, who played third base Friday against the Cleveland Indians, will see most of the time there. Catcher Russell Martin can also play third.

Donaldson was a centerpiece of Toronto’s powerhouse offense that made the playoffs in 2015 and 2016. He led the league with 41 home runs and 123 RBIs while winning the MVP. Donaldson hit 37 homers with 99 RBIs the following season. He is 32, is making $23 million, and can be a free agent after the season. He’s been selected to the All-Star team three times.

Outfielder Teoscar Hernandez has been called up from Triple-A Buffalo and started in right field Friday. He batted .261 with eight homers and 20 RBIs in 26 games with the Blue Jays last season.

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