Reigning AL MVP Donaldson out of lineup for Blue Jays for second straight game

TORONTO – Reigning American League MVP Josh Donaldson was not in the Toronto Blue Jays’ starting lineup on Tuesday, marking the second night in a row that the all-star third baseman has missed a game.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said before Tuesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays that Donaldson jammed his right hip while running to first base in Sunday’s 11-8 loss to the Boston Red Sox.

“It’s pretty tender,” Gibbons said. “We’ll take it day by day but hopefully he’ll be OK to go tomorrow.”

Darwin Barney started at third base in place of Donaldson while outfielder Jose Bautista hit in the No. 2 spot in the lineup against Tampa Bay’s Drew Smyly.

Gibbons said “it’s a possibility” that Donaldson, who also missed Toronto’s 3-2 series-opening win against Tampa Monday night, could come into Tuesday’s game off the bench if needed.

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

Toronto opened play on Tuesday in possession of the first AL wild card and two games back of the Boston Red Sox for top spot in the division.