MINNEAPOLIS -- Brendan Donovan is nearing a return from the injured list.
The Mariners’ third baseman is tentatively targeted for activation from the 10-day shelf during Seattle’s upcoming homestand against Kansas City and Atlanta, which begins Friday and lasts six games.
Donovan, who has been recovering from a left groin muscle strain, has remained in Seattle during the Mariners’ road trip through St. Louis and Minnesota and going through rehab at T-Mobile Park. That has included baseball activity.
“The progression has gone as hoped, and he's taken swings,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said before Tuesday’s game vs. the Twins. “And I think he looks like he's on pace to be back during the homestand at some point.”
It doesn’t sound like Donovan will need a Minor League rehab assignment, given that this has been such a short stint. He was eligible to be activated on Tuesday, but that wasn’t considered given the long travel to get to Minneapolis and that the Mariners wrap this series with two games in a 24-hour span. If Donovan does need a few Minor League at-bats, however, Triple-A Tacoma is at home through Sunday.
“[We're] continuing to assess,” Wilson said. “I think we'll know a lot more when we get back. But yeah, I mean, I think the hope is at some point during the homestand, he'll be back.”
Longer term, Donovan suggested that this situation is one he’ll need to continue monitoring.
Donovan underwent sports hernia surgery last October while still with the Cardinals, and has said that discomfort in his hips and groin -- which surfaced before he went on the IL -- were likely a byproduct of the procedure.
When on the field, Donovan has been arguably the Mariners’ most consistent hitter. With a slash line of .304/.437/.518 (.955 OPS), he has hit three homers with three doubles, eight RBIs, 12 strikeouts and nine walks over 71 plate appearances across 18 games.
In his stead, Leo Rivas has primarily manned third base. The versatile switch-hitter will transition back to a bench role when Donovan returns, with Will Wilson as the likeliest player to be optioned back down.