Manager John Gibbons thinks that Donaldson (calf) has a good chance of returning to the lineup Friday and that Donaldson "is feeling better today," Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sprotsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Donaldson left Wednesday's game against the Rays in the seventh inning due to the ailment, although between the team's off day Thursday and how much the team downplayed the issue, a Friday return for the third baseman is seeming to be more realistic as game-time approaches. Of course, how he's feeling on the day of the game is most important and a start isn't set in stone until the lineup is released, but this development is definitely an encouraging sign for the Blue Jays and Donaldson's fantasy owners.

Manager John Gibbons said Thursday that Donaldson (calf) could be back in the lineup for Toronto's home opener Friday but noted that there won't be further confirmation until closer to game time, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Donaldson remains in a holding pattern for the time being after leaving Wednesday's game when he tweaked his calf during an at-bat. Fortunately, the Blue Jays seem cautiously optimistic that Donaldson's calf injury won't cause him to miss additional time beyond Wednesday's early departure. More information on Donaldson's status should be made available early Friday.

Josh Donaldson, who is day to day after exiting with a calf strain in the seventh, accounted for all of the Blue Jays' runs with a three-run homer off Matt Moore in the third inning of Wednesday's loss against the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

Donaldson brought the rain for the second time in his last three games with his homer. According to Statcast, Donaldson's second of the year was projected to travel 386 feet and left his bat at 106 mph. The reining MVP will benefit from a day off Thursday, and expects to be ready to play Friday against the Red Sox.

Manager John Gibbons said that Donaldson has a strained calf and is day-to-day, Brendan Kennedy of the Toronto Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

Donaldson left Wednesday's game in the seventh inning after limping through a decent chunk of the game, and it appears the calf issue was to blame for the limp. The Blue Jays don't think the ailment is a very big deal, though, which is definitely an encouraging sign that could allow him to get back in the lineup fairly soon. That being said, it would be unlikely that the Blue Jays would push him back to action too hard this early in the season. Thankfully, Toronto has the day off Thursday, so he'll have an extra day to rest prior to Friday's bout with the Red Sox. Donaldson's status should become clearer as game-time approaches Friday.

Donaldson was removed from Wednesday's game versus the Rays in the seventh inning, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Donaldson seemed to be limping a bit earlier in the game, and it appears that there may actually be an issue of some sort. If there's injury is currently unknown, but more information about the possible ailment and severity should come soon. Darwin Barney took over at third base following Donaldson's exit.

Donaldson went 1-for-3 with his first homer of the year and a walk in Monday's road win over the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

The Jays' MVP third baseman did that 41 times last year, and while that may be tough to replicate, Donaldson's a good bet to get into the 30s again. After his three-strikeout effort in the opener, any Donaldson owner whose heart was inexplicably aflutter has to feel soothed by this game.

Donaldson went 3-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's win over the Tigers.

EDGE Analysis

All three hits were singles, meaning Donaldson is still without an extra-base hit this spring. Of course, the usual caveats regarding spring training numbers apply here, and even more so with the reigning American League MVP. It looks like Donaldson is slated to primarily bat second in the order behind Kevin Pillar.

Donaldson agreed to a two-year, $29 million contract with the Blue Jays on Monday to avoid arbitration, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Donaldson will have a tough task duplicating his numbers from the 2015 season after posting 41 home runs, 123 RBI, and 122 runs in what was easily the best statistical campaign of his five-year career. Nevertheless, he'll be touted as a first-round power hitter under most formats who's played in 158 games during each of his last three seasons.

Donaldson was named the 2015 AL MVP by the Baseball Writers' Association of America on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Of the 30 first-place votes, Donaldson received 23 while the Angels' Mike Trout received seven. Traded to Toronto from Oakland last winter, Donaldson finished top-3 in the AL in most offensive statistical categories, including home runs (41), RBI (123), runs (122), slugging (.568) and OPS (.939). He will turn 30 in December, but there's little reason to think Donaldson won't return first-round value again next season.

Donaldson (head) is in the lineup for Game 2 of the ALDS Friday against the Rangers, MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm reports.

EDGE Analysis

Donaldson took a knee to his head on a slide into second base in Thursday's Game 1, but he passed concussion tests after the game, and will be able to take the field Friday. As he regularly does, Donaldson will man third base and hit second in the Blue Jays' batting order.