Yankees' Josh Donaldson (calf) likely headed back to IL

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Sunday, July 16, 2023

DENVER --Josh Donaldson could be heading back to the New York Yankees' injured list after injuring his right calf while running out a ground ball in the seventh inning of a 6-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night.

Donaldson pulled up nearing first base on his grounder. The 37-year-old was sidelined between April 5 and June 2 by a strained right hamstring.

"A different spot, but it's been kind of off and on all year," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.

New York could bring up Oswald Peraza from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to fill the roster spot.

Donaldson, the 2015 AL MVP with Toronto, will have an MRI. The three-time All-Star is hitting .142 with 15 RBI and 10 of his 15 hits have been home runs.

New York acquired the third baseman from Minnesota in March 2022 along with shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa and backup catcher Ben Rortvedt for catcher Gary Sánchez and third baseman Gio Urshela, Donaldson hit .222 last year with 15 homers and 62 RBIs.

He has a $21 million salary in the final season of the $92 million, four-year contract he signed with Minnesota. The deal includes a $24 million mutual option for 2024 with a $6 million buyout if declined by the team.