Reigning MVP Donaldson out of Blue Jays lineup for third straight game vs. Rays

TORONTO – Reigning American League MVP Josh Donaldson was still awaiting results from an MRI he had on his injured right hip when he first spoke to reporters about it on Wednesday.

But the Blue Jays third baseman remained hopeful he’ll be back in the lineup when Toronto begins a seven-game West-coast road trip on Thursday night.

Donaldson, who’s played in 138 of the team’s 144 games this season, missed three consecutive games at Rogers Centre this week with the nagging injury.

“The fact of the matter is it’s not something I feel like I could go out there and perform in a manner where I was going to help the team,” Donaldson said after Toronto’s 8-1 loss to Tampa Bay.

“Sometimes you have to step back and take that next step. Hopefully by tomorrow I’ll be able to get back in the lineup.”

Donaldson couldn’t say much about how or when his hip started hurting in the first place but described it as a “gradual thing” that suddenly intensified.

Manager John Gibbons first said Tuesday that Donaldson had “jarred” his hip while running to first base in a home loss to the Boston Red Sox on Sunday. Earlier Wednesday, GM Ross Atkins said the same.

Donaldson denied that.

“When I hit the base it was more some other things that were going on. But for my hip it’s something that’s been a little bit gradual,” Donaldson said. “I don’t know exactly what point it was or where it happened.”

“I’m not a doctor so it’s kinda hard for me,” he added. “I just know that I feel some pain in some areas and they’re going to take a look at it and give me the prognosis and we’ll go from there.”

Ryan Goins started at third base in place of Donaldson while outfielder Michael Saunders hit in the No. 2 spot in the lineup against Tampa Bay’s Alex Cobb on Wednesday.

Atkins said that while the team has depth at third base — Darwin Barney can also play there and started at third for Monday and Tuesday’s games — he also doesn’t want to see Donaldson have to sit out an extended period.

“He’s obviously a special player, he’s integral to this team. You can’t prepare to lose a player of that calibre and level,” Atkins said. “However, it does take 40 players, it takes 25 players, it takes a team to win.

“We do have depth in those areas and feel good about our options, but this guy’s the reigning MVP.”

Donaldson, who’s hitless in a career-worst seven games, going 0 for 23 with seven strikeouts in that span, is batting .284 with 34 homers and 92 RBIs through 138 games.

The team has won just three of its last 12 games, slipping down the AL East standing from first on Sept. 5 to third after Wednesday’s matinee.

“It’s tough (to sit out) but we still control our own destiny at the end of the day,” Donaldson said. “Hopefully I’ll be able to get back out there tomorrow and help our team win.”