The Mariners are hopeful that third baseman Brendan Donovan will come off the injured list and rejoin the big league club on Tuesday, general manager Justin Hollander said on Friday.
Donovan “feels good and ready to go,” per Hollander, but is currently with his family.
The 29-year-old has been sidelined since mid-May with a left groin strain. It’s the same issue that also caused Donovan to miss three weeks earlier in the season.
The Mariners acquired Donovan from the Cardinals in a three-team deal over the offseason to bolster what had the makings of a strong lineup. He’s been productive when healthy, hitting .274 with a 142 OPS+ through 25 games with his new club.
Seattle could surely use the version of Donovan that earned his first career All-Star nod in 2025. The Mariners’ offense has scuffled through much of the season, averaging just 4.0 runs per game – third lowest in the Majors – with a .688 OPS that ranks fourth lowest. Seattle’s third basemen have combined for a .591 OPS; only the Marlins have received less production from the hot corner this season.
Donovan played a total of 10 games on his rehab assignment between the rookie-league ACL Mariners, High-A Everett and Triple-A Tacoma. He closed his rehab on a four-game hitting streak.
Seattle entered play on Friday trailing the first-place Rangers by 2 1/2 games in the AL West.