TORONTO -- The list of injuries continues to expand for the Blue Jays, but the good news is that none of the nagging ailments appear to be something that will turn into long-term concerns.
Josh Donaldson, Troy Tulowitzki, Russell Martin and Michael Saunders are among those currently playing at less than 100 percent. Despite that discouraging news, Martin was the only one held out of the lineup Monday night against the White Sox.
Donaldson got the start at designated hitter to rest a sore left leg, Tulowitzki continues to play through a minor hip ailment while Saunders returned to the lineup vs. Chicago following a three-game absence with a sore hamstring.
"We're a little banged up, that's for sure," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said Monday afternoon.
Donaldson dealt with a sore left calf muscle earlier this season, but the latest discomfort stems from when he was hit by a pitch by former Blue Jays right-hander Liam Hendriks. Donaldson was hit on the upper part of his leg by a fastball on Saturday afternoon, but he remained in the game and played the following day.
The 30-year-old is expected to play through the minor injury but may require some additional time at DH. He could be replaced in the lineup going forward by Minor League infielder Matt Dominguez, who is expected to be called up following Monday's game against the White Sox.
Martin's timeline is less clear. He was removed from Friday's game in the sixth inning because of neck spasms, he played the following day but then sat out again on Sunday. He's currently being listed as day to day, which leaves the Blue Jays in the dangerous position of having only one healthy catcher on the roster.
Donaldson is the only other player on the roster with catching experience, the position he was drafted at in 2007. But not surprisingly, Gibbons ruled out the possibility of using the reigning MVP behind the plate and instead would turn to utility man Darwin Barney in an emergency situation.
"He's feeling better, but when we took him out Friday night, he played Saturday, it still wasn't gone," Gibbons said of Martin. "We have to try to nip that."