TORONTO -- Josh Donaldson has increased the intensity of his workouts in Florida and should be ready to begin a rehab assignment at some point later this week.
Donaldson is currently going through a throwing program at the club's Minor League complex in Dunedin, Fla. Donaldson has been out since April 10 because of right shoulder inflammation, but he appears to have turned a corner in recent days.
The 32-year-old has been going through long toss and is scheduled to begin throwing to bases in the very near future. Once cleared, Donaldson will begin a brief rehab assignment before rejoining the Blue Jays on the big league roster.
"I wouldn't think so," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said when asked if Donaldson would have to DH upon his return. "Occasionally he'd probably need it. But I think when he's good to go, when they sign off on it, he's here to play third base. That's my expectation."
Yangervis Solarte likely would move back into his super utility role once Donaldson returns from the DL. Solarte has been an early bright spot for the Blue Jays with five homers and a .842 OPS through his first 20 games of the year. The Venezuela native will continue to see some time at third, possibly some limited action at shortstop and he will push Devon Travis for playing time at second.
Toronto also provided a medical update on injured shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who is currently on the 60-day disabled list after he had bone spurs removed from both of his feet during Spring Training. Tulowitzki had a follow-up with a foot specialist this week and was cleared to resume baseball activities.
"He's progressing well with all goals thus far, including range of motion, strength, walking time spent on feet," a team spokesman said while reading from a report. "He has been cleared to resume light baseball activities this week with hitting off a tee, playing catch and stationary ground balls.
"The time spent on his feet performing baseball work and otherwise will be monitored and addressed accordingly per the surgeon and medical team guidelines over the next several weeks. He will be re-evaluated in four weeks."