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Report: Injured Donaldson unlikely to be traded before non-waiver deadline

Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Josh Donaldson was expected to be the Toronto Blue Jays' biggest trade chip heading into this season, but injuries have likely prevented the former AL MVP from being moved prior to the non-waiver deadline.

The Blue Jays are reportedly hoping they can still trade the third baseman, though with Donaldson currently on the disabled list, it doesn't appear that a deal will be made prior to July 31, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.

Instead, it's now more of a possibility that Donaldson will be traded in August after the non-waiver deadline. In order for the Blue Jays to do so, he would first need to pass through revocable waivers. If no one claims him, Toronto would be able to trade him anywhere, but if he's claimed, the Blue Jays would have three options: They could work out a trade with the claiming team, they could pull Donaldson off waivers and keep him for the remainder of the season, or they could allow the claiming team to take on his salary without offering any other compensation.

The 32-year-old has appeared in just 36 games this season due to shoulder and calf injuries. He hasn't played since May 28 and isn't expected to be activated prior to the July 31 deadline.

Donaldson is in the final year of his contract with the Blue Jays, and is still owed roughly $8.34 million this season before he's set to hit free agency.

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