Sportsnet: Blue Jays Donaldson, Bautista in lineup for Game 2

By: Shi Davidi, Sportsnet.ca

Both Josh Donaldson and Jose Bautista were in the lineup for Game 2 of the American League Division Series with the Texas Rangers on Friday, good news for the Toronto Blue Jays ahead of a pivotal matchup.

The status of Bautista, who left Thursday’s Game 1 loss with cramping in his right hamstring, wasn’t really in doubt, but there were questions about Donaldson, a leading AL MVP candidate, who left the game in the fifth inning when he “didn’t feel right” after taking a knee in the head breaking up a double play.

“To this point everything went well,” Gibbons said of the pre-game testing that was to include some time on a treadmill Donaldson needed to clear. “Everything is a go unless they tell me different.”

Donaldson collided with Rougned Odor in the fourth inning Thursday, when the second baseman clipped his head trying to leap over top him. The all-star slugger lay on the field for a few moments before popping up and running of the field.

After playing third base in the fifth, he was removed from the game before his next at-bat in the bottom half of the frame.

“He told the trainers and they told me,” said Gibbons.

The only change in the Blue Jays lineup is Chris Colabello at first base for Justin Smoak to face left-hander Cole Hamels. Adrian Beltre, who left Thursday’s game with back spasms, wasn’t in the Rangers lineup.

The game gets underway at 12:45 p.m., and once again, the Rogers Centre roof will be closed.

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