MLB news: Aaron Boone’s Yankees take, Francona’s bad day, Team Israel

May 10, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2022; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

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.

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.

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.

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