Josh Donaldson expects to be back soon and better than before. The 36-year-old had a cortisone shot in his right shoulder last week to deal with the discomfort associated with a lot of wear and tear that comes with a 12-year MLB career.

Donaldson is eligible to return on Thursday and Yankees manager Aaron Boone thinks that he will be activated soon.

The infielder was initially on the COVID-19 injury list, but testing negative for the coronavirus. While dealing with the cold-like symptoms, he decided to use the down time to address the shoulder, which had been bothering him off and on from spring training.

“Oh, you know, I was kind of feeling sick and I knew that how I was responding probably wasn’t going to be good to rush back at that time,” Donaldson. “So I might as well just kind of knock this out. It’s kind of been up and down all spring training all the way to the season. I feel like it’s a good time to be able to do it.”

Donaldson said that his shoulder feels really good now. He had previously had a cortisone shot in 2018 and went on to have a good season. Donaldson hit 23 homers that year between the Blue Jays and Cleveland.

In ‘18 when I had one, I did a nice little throwing program and I was able to come back and I didn’t have any problems with the rest of the year,” Donaldson said. “So I’m hoping I’m good.”

YANKS-ANGELS RAINED OUT

Wednesday night’s Yankees and Angels game at the Stadium was postponed by inclement weather. The game will be made up as the first of a split doubleheader at 1:05 p.m. on Thursday. Nestor Cortes will face Shohei Ohtani in Game 1 and Jameson Taillon will start the nightcap for the Yankees.

Fans holding tickets for Wednesday night’s game may use them for entrance into Thursday’s day game or exchange them per the Yankees’ rain policy, detailed on their website.

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