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Donaldson, Tulowitzki activated, back in Blue Jays' lineup

TORONTO -- Blue Jays infielders Josh Donaldson and Troy Tulowitzki have been activated off the disabled list and are back in the starting lineup.

The Toronto stars were set to play Friday night against Texas.

Donaldson, the 2015 AL MVP, will bat second against Rangers right-hander A.J. Griffin. Sidelined since April 13 because of a sore right calf, Donaldson is hitting .310 with two homers and four RBI in nine games.

Tulowitzki, out since April 21 with a sore right hamstring, will bat seventh. He's hitting .263 with one homer and 10 RBI.

The Blue Jays optioned right-hander Cesar Valdez to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday. Outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. was optioned to Triple-A following Wednesday's win at Milwaukee.

The injury-wracked Blue Jays are still without three starting pitchers, including right-hander and reigning AL ERA leader Aaron Sanchez, left-hander and 20-game winner J.A. Happ, and left-hander Francisco Liriano.

Toronto has gone 19-15 since starting 2-11, but remains last in the AL East.