Josh Donaldson has to be separated from manager after dugout clash

Reigning AL MVP Josh Donaldson already has a reputation for being fiery on the field. He’s gotten into arguments with opposing coaches and players, been the victim of bean-ball retaliations and been in the thick of that Blue Jays-Rangers brawl earlier this season.

[Join a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Baseball contest now]

On Wednesday, however, his angst was aimed in new direction altogether — first his bat and ultimately his manager. Donaldson returned to the Jays dugout after striking out and threw his bat into the dugout in anger, which raised the eyebrow of manager John Gibbons.

Gibbons went to talk to Donaldson, some fiery words were exchanged and eventually Troy Tulowitzki got in the middle of them. Not often you see a star player and his manager needing to be separated in the dugout.

After the game, which the Jays won 7-4, the vibe was much more mellow. Donaldson, when asked about it by reporters, said Gibbons was inquiring about his cologne. Gibbons, meanwhile, gave a snappy comment about Donaldson needing another bat.

This is code — particularly on Donaldson’s end — for not wanting to talk about something that’s obviously (and rightfully) an internal matter. Gibbons was right about the bat, though. Donaldson jammed his thumb during his next at-bat and had to leave the game.

Sometimes the universe has its own punishments?

More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:

– – – – – – –

Mike Oz is the editor of Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at mikeozstew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz