Minnesota Twins star Josh Donaldson is toning down his criticism off Gerrit Cole's declining spin rate, even if the third baseman isn't backing off his feelings when it comes to pitchers using foreign substances to doctor the ball.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Wednesday's matchup with the Yankees, Donaldson said he didn't intend for the New York ace to become a "leader" in MLB's crusade against sticky substances. Earlier in the week the infielder posited that there was no coincidence between four minor league players getting suspended 10 games for doctoring the ball and Cole's decreasing spin rate.