Donaldson: MLB needs to protect hitters getting thrown at

Josh Donaldson has had enough of the bean balls.

The Toronto Blue Jays third baseman called for the league to crack down on pitchers intentionally throwing at hitters after Minnesota Twins pitcher Phil Hughes directed a couple of pitches his way Sunday afternoon with no consequences.

"Major League Baseball has to do something about this," he said after the Blue Jays' 3-1 victory, according to Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling. "They say they're trying to protect players. They make a rule that says you can't slide hard into second base. They make a rule to protect the catchers on slides into home. But when you throw a ball at somebody, nothing's done about it. My manager comes out to ask what’s going on and he gets ejected for it. That’s what happens."

Donaldson stared down the Twins dugout after homering off Hughes in the first inning, his personal response to the Twins chirping him early in Saturday's game. In his next at-bat, Hughes' first two pitches were at Donaldson's hip and then behind his back. No warning was issued, and manager John Gibbons was ejected while trying to defend his star.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

Donaldson said he has no issue with Hughes, who he believes was "doing what he was told" by his coaching staff. He doesn't even seem to care if someone does throw at him intentionally, something that's long been a part of baseball. All the reigning AL MVP wants is for teams to be held accountable when they do take matters into their own hands.

"It's getting to the point now where I'm upset with how it's being handled," Donaldson said. "Their guys want to hit me intentionally? So be it. But there has to be a consequence. Not our manager getting thrown out of the game because he came in to ask what's happening. It makes no sense to me.

"They're putting my job in jeopardy," he continued. "What if he hits me in the neck right there? What if he hits me in the eye? You saw (Marlins slugger Giancarlo) Stanton a couple years ago - he got hit in the face. The ball crushed his face.

"It doesn't take much in order to break these bones in your face. And Phil Hughes didn’t throw the ball at my face. But it only takes an eighth of an inch off your release point in order for the ball to go somewhere else."