Back in the lineup, Donaldson crushes homer

TORONTO -- Josh Donaldson returned to the Blue Jays lineup with a bang in Game 2 of the American League Division Series as he homered in his first at-bat against Rangers left-hander Cole Hamels. However, the Blue Jays fell, 6-4, on Friday.

Donaldson was considered questionable for Game 2 after he was kneed in the head by Texas second baseman Rougned Odor while attempting to break up a double play in Thursday's opener of the best-of-five series. He passed concussion tests on Thursday night and additional tests Friday morning before getting clearance to play.

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The MVP candidate immediately made his presence felt in the pivotal Game 2. Toronto was trailing, 2-0, in the bottom of the first inning when he worked the count full against Hamels and then homered to straightaway center field. It was the first postseason home run of Donaldson's career.

"I felt fine today, especially once the game got started I felt pretty good," said Donaldson, who finished 1-for-6 with a pair of strikeouts. "I was able to give it everything I had today."

According to Statcast™, the ball was projected to travel 418 feet and the exit velocity off the bat was 109.9 mph, which was the fifth highest of any home run hit in baseball this year.

Donaldson was injured during the fourth inning of Thursday's Game 1. He was sliding into second base in an attempt to break up a double play when Odor's knee made contact with Donaldson's head. The All-Star third baseman initially remained in the game, but had to be removed in the fifth.