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Major League Baseball roundup

[February 20, 2017] Feb 19 (The Sports Xchange) - Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson expects to be sidelined two to three weeks due to a right calf strain.

Donaldson admitted that he felt something grab his muscle while running sprints during a workout on Friday. The 2015 American League Most Valuable Player and three-time All-Star underwent an MRI exam the following day and required the use of crutches while walking in the clubhouse on Sunday.

"It's something that we don't necessarily want to push too much, just for the simple fact that we have a little extra time with spring training right now," the 31-year-old Donaldson said. "I'm just making sure that whenever I step back on the field, it's ready to go and I'm ready to be able to push it."

Donaldson batted .284 with 37 homers and 99 RBIs in 2016 to record his second straight American League Silver Slugger Award for third basemen.

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Chicago White Sox outfielder Charlie Tilson will be shut down from impact activities for the next 10 days as he deals with a stress reaction in his right foot.

An MRI exam on Saturday revealed the injury for Tilson, who is aiming to return from a torn left hamstring that occurred in his lone game with the White Sox last season.

Tilson, who is bidding to be Chicago's starting center fielder this season, was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals in a trade for left-hander Zach Duke in July. He saw his season come to an end on Aug. 2 after attempting to run down a hit from Detroit Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera.

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Clayton Kershaw is the no-brainer decision to start for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Opening Day when the left-handed ace will tie a franchise record.

Kershaw, who is healthy after missing 2 1/2 months last season with a back injury, was officially named the starter by manager Dave Roberts on Saturday, tying him with Don Drysdale and Don Sutton with seven.

The Dodgers begin the season at home against the San Diego Padres on April 3.

Kershaw has a 0.93 ERA in his six Opening Day starts, going 4-0 as the Dodgers won all of those games.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks signed veteran left-hander Jorge De La Rosa to a minor league deal with an invitation to major league spring training.

De La Rosa, 35, is expected to compete for a bullpen role after spending most of his 13-year major league career as a starter.

De La Rosa appeared in 27 games (24 starts) for the Colorado Rockies last season, going 8-9 with a 5.51 ERA over 134 innings pitched. (Editing by Gene Cherry)

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