UPDATED Aug. 29: The New York Yankees have released Josh Donaldson.
The New York Yankees recently placed Josh Donaldson on the injured list for the second time this season. The 37-year-old third baseman revealed that he suffered a Grade 2 — possibly Grade 3 — calf strain, and wasn’t given a timetable for his return.
The veteran hit .142/.225/.434 with 10 home runs, and 15 RBI this year, and was good enough for -0.1 WAR.
Let’s look back at the highlights of his time in pinstripes.
Josh Donaldson made a racist comment to Tim Anderson. Donaldson admitted to calling the White Sox shortstop “Jackie.” The Yankee infielder claimed it was an inside joke referring to a 2019 Sports Illustrated interview in which Anderson said he felt like today’s Jackie Robinson. Donaldson offered up a non-apology after being suspended for one game. As we’ve previously covered, Robinson went by Jack, even signing autographs and checks with his given name.
His first trip to the injured list as a Yankee.
The Yanks traded Joey Gallo and Josh Donaldson, who was slashing .223/.304/.693 with 10 homers and 38 RBI in 84 games played, became the target of boos from the Yankees faithful.
Donaldson gave the Bombers an 8-7 extra innings win over Tampa Bay.
Went on the 10-day IL in April 2023, and didn’t return until June.
The New York Post ran at least three stories about Donaldson getting booed for his poor play, which included a 0-for-14 stretch during a Yankee homestand in July.
I think this tweet sums it up best:
Crazy stat: Donaldson has 10 home runs and four singles this season.
Donaldson played in 165 games over the 2022 and 2023 season for the Yanks, batting .207/.293/.385. He drove in 77 runs while scoring just 72. The third baseman hit 25 HRs and struck out 180 times. As The Athletic noted, New York paid $56 million for that kind of production.