Just as hope dimmed further for the Toronto Blue Jays and the struggle to stay afloat got more difficult, the team received a lifebuoy on Friday. Before they kicked off their opening series against the Texas Rangers, the Blue Jays activated third baseman Josh Donaldson and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki off the disabled list. The left side of Toronto's infield will make their return to the lineup for Friday's game.
The duo has missed more than a month of action, with Donaldson out since April 14 and Tulowitzki's last game on April 21. They'll join a Blue Jays team that went 8-17 in April but has turned things around in May with a 13-9 record thus far.
Before the injury, Donaldson put up outstanding numbers with a .310/.429/.586 slash line, 1.015 OPS, two home runs and six walks. He's still an MVP caliber bat and while many of the names in the lineup surrounding him have struggled, Donaldson could lift this offense and help turn around production. He could also see more walks given the struggles of hitters behind him.
Tulowitzki posted a 263/.295/.386 and .681 OPS in 57 at bats. Tulowitzki still offers some good pop and run production that make him a high-end fantasy shortstop, but he obviously isn't the same caliber of fantasy star he used to be and he has already shown this year that he carries major injury concerns.
The infield duo's return to the lineup comes after weeks of numerous reports they would return, only for that timetable to get pushed back again and again. Both Tulowitzki and Donaldson went out on minoe-league rehab assignments this past week and without any setbacks, they are now game ready.
Toronto's lineup becomes much stronger with the pair in the lineup, joining an offense that is starting to heat up. Second baseman Devon Travis was miserable in April but is on a remarkable turnaround this month with a .351/.364/.622 slash line, .411 wOBA, 163 wRC+ and 14 doubles. Meanwhile, Jose Bautista has swung a hot bat this month with an outstanding 181 wRC+, seven home runs and a .313/.421/.638.
Pair that with the return of Donaldson and Tulowitzki, in addition to some good production from Justin Smoak, and this team has the pieces to become one of the most productive offenses in baseball. After a month of being the lineup you target pitchers to start against them, the Blue Jays lineup could soon become the one you don't want your pitchers to face.