Brendan Donovan was absent from the Seattle Mariners’ lineup for Saturday’s game against the Texas Rangers as he continues to recover from left hip tightness, according to an April 18 report. The third baseman is considered day to day and is not expected to be placed on the 10-day injured list at this time.
Donovan’s absence comes after he exited Friday’s game early due to discomfort in his left hip. Mariners manager Dan Wilson said, “We’ll just keep gathering information as we go.”
Wilson indicated that using Donovan as a designated hitter in upcoming games could be an option to reduce physical strain, though this may affect the team’s current platoon between Dominic Canzone and Rob Refsnyder. The manager acknowledged adjustments might be necessary, stating, “We continue to make our adjustments; that’s what baseball is. And we’ll continue to make our adjustments as we go. Maybe it’s a DH day here and there. Maybe it’s other things we look at.”
Earlier in the season, Donovan experienced right groin discomfort but only missed two starts and later missed additional games due to illness. Wilson noted that some of these issues may relate back to sports hernia surgery Donovan underwent last October while with St. Louis: “It’s something that you have to closely monitor and keep watching on,” Wilson said. “It’s a big surgery, and he did a great job of getting through it… So it’s just continued monitoring.”
Donovan has been one of Seattle’s more productive hitters so far this season with a .304 batting average over 56 at-bats in 18 games. In his place on Saturday, Leo Rivas started at third base while J.P. Crawford moved into the leadoff spot.
Looking ahead, Wilson emphasized maintaining Donovan’s aggressive style of play despite recent injuries: “So you’ve got to be who you are on the field, no question… Donnie plays hard, and that’s what we love about him.”
