Blue Jays’ Josh Donaldson leaves ALDS Game 1 after knee to head

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson left Game 1 of the ALDS Thursday after he was kneed in the head.

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson left Game 1 of the ALDS Thursday after he was kneed in the head while sliding into second base.

Donaldson was removed in the bottom of the fifth inning for precautionary reasons, the team said. The team said later that he passed a concussion test. 

Donaldson was injured in the bottom of the fourth while trying to break up a double play, stayed in the game to play defense in the top of the fifth and was removed when his spot in the order came up again in the bottom of the inning. Cliff Pennington replaced him.

Josh Donaldson kneed in the head as Rougned Odor tries to turn the double play. #ALDSonFS1 #postseason pic.twitter.com/WAxZMTJF73

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 8, 2015

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Donaldson is a strong candidate for American League MVP, having batted .297 with 41 home runs and a league-high 123 RBIs.

Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre also left the game with a back injury.

- Dan Gartland