Donovan dishes on returning from injury, first year with Mariners

This story was excerpted from Daniel Kramer's Mariners Beat newsletter. This edition was written by Bill Ladson. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

In a recent sit-down with MLB.com at Yankee Stadium, Mariners infielder Brendan Donovan answered a wide range of questions on topics from his left groin injury to his reliance on Mr. Mariner, Alvin Davis.

MLB.com: I have to start off by asking, how are you feeling healthwise? You returned to action on Aug. 4 after spending weeks on the injured list because of a left groin muscle strain.

Donovan: I feel good. I have to say this is the first time I’ve played pain-free in over a year. That’s a good feeling. I’ve kind of been gutting it out the last half (of last year) and the first half of this season. I missed a significant amount of time, which stunk. Physically, I feel good.

MLB.com: I’m curious: Why did it take so long for the injury to heal?

Donovan: I had surgery in October. Last year, I tore my adductor and I started pulling my abs out of my pelvis. The doctors went in and cinched everything down. Then it got a little tight. Anytime I did quick movements, I started to pull on it. So, I had to get back to the foundational strength, get some mobility. I was working on getting some stability back. It was like a long journey of me trying to learn what worked for me and what didn’t work for me.

MLB.com: Somehow, you got off to a great start with the Mariners. How did that happen?

Donovan: I felt my swing was in a really good spot. Spring Training was really good. Everything was kind of short and compact -- everything I wanted it to be. You have to take Spring Training with a grain of salt, but I felt my swing decisions were pretty solid. I was on the barrel during Spring Training and it carried over into the regular season.

MLB.com: When I first met you, you were all over the place. You were playing almost every position. Now you are playing just third base. How do you feel playing just one position?

Donovan: Honestly, it’s different. When the Mariners acquired me, the plan was to bounce all over. We had a few injuries along the way. So when J.P. (Crawford) went on the IL, that’s where I was slotted in. But I’ve always seen it as I’m solving a problem for the club. It’s been, if someone is banged up, I’m here. … I still see myself in a utility role. That’s kind of where we are at.

MLB.com: I remember you as a second baseman and an outfielder.

Donovan: I played a decent amount of third base my rookie year when Nolan Arenado would DH or get days off. … I actually hit him up (earlier this year). I got off to a rocky start. I made a couple of mistakes. The speed of the game wasn’t there. I reached out to Nolan and he gave me a few pointers. That helped a lot.

MLB.com: How disappointed are you that you were not able to contribute to the Mariners like you wanted to? Obviously, the team is not doing well.

Donovan: It’s frustrating. When I was traded here, I had high expectations for myself and this team. That kind of gets at you. What you can do is focus on the here and now. Physically, I’m feeling better. When I was on the IL, I tried to lean into players and give tips because I’m not on the field. … Me being a competitor, I want to win. I want to play at a high level. I want to enjoy winning. I haven’t given back for so long. I missed a big window. But we still have time. Not a lot of time.

MLB.com: There is time. How do you make that comeback? The team is not too far from the third and final Wild Card spot.

Donovan: The simple answer is, it starts today. Find a way to win. No thinking about tomorrow. How can we win tonight in the simplest form?

MLB.com: How has your wife, Aly, helped you adjust to your new surroundings?

Donovan: She is a stud. We just had a daughter, almost two weeks old. It’s our second. Aly is a calm and steady presence. She is always positive. We have been together since college. We’ve been together for 10 years, married almost four. She is like the support system. Once I get home, I receive a hug from her and my girls. It’s a great perspective, obviously. I value my job, but my family is everything.

MLB.com: How did you enjoy the Mariners’ 50th anniversary celebration last week?

Donovan: It was cool. There were a lot of legends in the building. I was going around shaking hands and saying hello. It’s cool having those guys around. It’s 50 years. There is a lot of history, and there is a lot of history to be made with this organization. People are so passionate about the Seattle Mariners.

MLB.com: Who did you enjoy talking to the most?

Donovan: Alvin Davis. He is around us during the spring. Every time I get to see him, he is an amazing dude. What a calm presence. A smart guy. I love having him around. I go to A.D. a lot for advice, especially in Spring Training. … I was trying to feel some things out. He is someone I lean on.