About 37 seconds before last night’s game against the Kansas City Royals, the Minnesota Twins made a roster move. It was more like, “Here’s the lineup, here’s who’s pitching, ope, Josh Donaldson is on the Injured List now, talk to you later, bye.”
So there you go: The Bringer of Rain is on the 10-day Injured List with his calf issues.
The Twins inked the third baseman to a four-year deal this off season. Since the start of the season, he’s played in seven games, batting .182/.296/.318 with a homer and two RBI. He’s also drawn four walks and whiffed seven times. Donaldson’s calf injuries have been a career-long issue and although skipper Rocco Baldelli said earlier in week that this wouldn’t be a major issue, it’s apparently major enough to warrant a trip to the I.L. now.
Minnesota did not make any corresponding move last night as Jake Odorizzi was the announced starter for today’s game. Sure enough, the Twins have made it official by activating him ahead of the game today, since that’s what you’re supposed to do, per the rules. He’ll be limited to 70ish pitches according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Odorizzi was the first of three Twins starting pitchers to suffer an injury; he had mild upper back soreness and was sidelined since before the season started. The righty accepted a qualifying offer from the Twins this winter.
In other injury news, you may have wondered why infielder Luis Arraez has not been in the lineup lately. He’s been experiencing “very minor knee soreness” per Baldelli and that fans should expect to see him in the lineup “in a day or two”, according to a tweet from MLB.com’s Do-Hyoung Park yesterday. This is simply code for, “there’s a roster move on the horizon.” (He’s actually in the lineup today. I’m just a negative Nancy.)