Twins activate Josh Donaldson, designate Ildemaro Vargas

As had been expected, the Minnesota Twins confirmed on Wednesday that the club has activated third baseman Josh Donaldson off the injured list. 

Minnesota designated infielder Ildemaro Vargas for assignment or release. 

After Donaldson won 2019 National League Comeback Player of the Year honors as a member of the Atlanta Braves, he and the Twins put pen to paper on a four-year contract worth $92 million. 

The 34-year-old has yet to reclaim that award-winning form with his new club. Donaldson hit .182 with one home run, two RBI, and seven strikeouts across his first seven appearances this summer until a right calf strain sidelined him through all of August. 

Even without Donaldson, the Twins began Wednesday with a 21-16 record and only 1.5 games behind the Cleveland Indians, one of Donaldson's former teams, and Chicago White Sox in the American League Central division standings.