Yankees’ Josh Donaldson gets rude reception and buzzing in Minnesota return

MINNEAPOLIS — Josh Donaldson had a memorable return to Minnesota.

He was booed by the gang earlier than every of his at-bats then needed to duck out of the best way of a 97 mph fastball from Trevor Megill within the high of the ninth of the Yankees’ 10-4 win over the Twins.

Donaldson mentioned he had “no concept” if the pitch that buzzed him was intentional.

“I used to be simply making an attempt to get out of the best way of the ball,’’ Donaldson mentioned.

He singled and walked however is simply 2-for-14 since getting back from the IL following a cortisone shot to his proper shoulder.

Previous to Tuesday’s recreation, Donaldson mentioned the shoulder “feels nice.”

He attributed the shortage of productiveness on the plate to the time he missed — an absence that started with a stint on the COVID IL then the cortisone injection.

“My timing hasn’t fairly been the place I need it and that’s to be anticipated,’’ Donaldson mentioned. “[Getting] reps is an enormous a part of it.”

Aaron Boone famous Donaldson has been drawing walks and hit a protracted sacrifice fly to drive within the game-winning run on Sunday in opposition to the Tigers in The Bronx.

That is additionally Donaldson’s first journey again to Goal Discipline for the reason that March commerce that despatched him to the Yankees.

He mentioned he had “no regrets” about his time in Minnesota, however acknowledged he and the staff didn’t play in addition to he needed after signing his free-agent deal.

After requesting a commerce when he was optioned, Miguel Andujar reported to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and was scheduled to be within the lineup on Tuesday earlier than the sport was washed out.

Phil Nevin, who was ousted as third base coach by the Yankees after final season, was named interim supervisor of the Angels following the firing of Joe Maddon.

Boone, a longtime buddy of Nevin, referred to as the information “emotional.”

“I’m actually excited for him,” Boone mentioned of Nevin, who was the Angels third base coach. “I believe he’ll do nice. He’s such an important baseball man and definitely paid his dues. He was in all probability near touchdown a [managerial] job a number of completely different occasions. He’s poured rather a lot into this recreation.”