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TORONTO, ON – JUNE 19: Josh Donaldson #28 of the New York Yankees slams his bat after getting hit by a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning during their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on June 19, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
New York Yankees slugger Josh Donaldson was at the center of conflict against the Toronto Blue Jays Sunday after he was hit by a pitch.
Josh Donaldson, who is a former Blue Jay himself, has been the center of attention for the wrong reasons seemingly all season long. He’s a polarizing figure, and despite a controversial spat with Tim Anderson during the year — in which he called the White Sox shortstop ‘Jackie’ — Donaldson is still up to his old ways.
In the first inning against the Jays, the Yankees third baseman was beaned by Toronto pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, and did not take kindly to it.
Donaldson responded by slamming his bat on the ground. It’s unknown if there will be any sort of retribution from the Yankees pitching staff.
Yankees on a roll, despite Donaldson’s antics
New York entered the game on a nine-game win streak. In sweeping the Tampa Bay Rays and now playing well against the Blue Jays, the Yanks have padded their already-impressive AL East division lead. On Sunday, they held a 12-game advantage over Toronto, and a 13-game lead over Tampa Bay.
Kikuchi seems to be having some control issues, specifically with his fastball inside. It’s unlikely he would target the likes of Donaldson (and in the second inning Aaron Hicks) this early in the game if he had some sort of ax to grind.
Nonetheless, the Yanks took offense.