Aaron Boone delivers a reminder to New York Yankees fans about Josh Donaldson, plus Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona has a day to forget and a Colorado Rockies reliever’s injury is enough to remove him from the Team Israel roster at the upcoming World Baseball Classic. That’s what is included in our MLB news and notes this morning.
New York Yankees news: Aaron Boone believes in Josh Donaldson bouncing back
If you’re ready to write off 37-year-old Josh Donaldson after his disappointing 2022 campaign, Boone has some strong words to pass along about why the 12-year MLB veteran will be an improved player in 2023.
“We’re talking about a great player,” Boone said of Donaldson. “This has been a star player, consistently, for a long time. He’s not far removed from 2021 (26 home runs and 72 RBI along with a .247/.352/.475 slash line) …”
Donaldson is expected to be the Opening Day starter at third base in the Bronx, but don’t be surprised to see DJ LeMahieu get time at the position if the veteran struggles early in the season.
You can see the entirety of Boone’s comments about Donaldson below.
"I think you're crazy to think that a bounce-back is not in there offensively."
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) February 21, 2023
Aaron Boone discusses why he thinks Josh Donaldson will have a better year this season: pic.twitter.com/3QMNs8qDpb
Cleveland Guardians news: Terry Francona’s day could have been better
The next time you think you’re having a bad day, just remember how things went for Cleveland manager Terry Francona as he tried to put together his official camp-opening speech as the Guardians prepare to defend their AL Central crown.
Terry Francona gave his annual team speech. He was so nervous he was drenched in sweat. He declined dinner w/ coaches last night so he could make edits. He made pasta, but it didn't fully cook and broke his tooth. He arrived at camp at 3:30am & spilled coffee all over the speech.
— Zack Meisel (@ZackMeisel) February 21, 2023
If that doesn’t make your Tuesday morning look like a walk in the park, I don’t know what will.
MLB news: World Baseball Classic’s Team Israel loses a pitcher
Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black has announced that reliever Jake Bird will be removed from Team Israel’s World Baseball Classic roster due to a strained left oblique. The 27-year-old right-hander is reportedly out of action for seven to 10 days. While he will not participate in the WBC, he still has time to get healthy and earn a spot in the Colorado bullpen when the Rockies open the season on March 30 in San Diego against the Padres.