The Seattle Mariners announced on May 16 that catcher Mitch Garver and third baseman Brendan Donovan were scratched from the lineup just two hours before their game against the San Diego Padres. Both players are considered day to day, according to team officials.
This development comes as the Mariners continue to manage injuries within their roster, already missing a key player who was last year’s American League Most Valuable Player runner-up. The absence of Garver and Donovan forced adjustments ahead of Saturday’s 7-4 loss, with Jhonny Pereda stepping in for Garver and Leo Rivas replacing Donovan.
Mariners manager Dan Wilson said, “BD, again, as we’ve said, we have to be flexible and give him a day here or there when he needs it. And so that was just today. And Garv had a little tightness in his back, and so we were able to kind of give him the day as well. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get one or both back tomorrow.”
Garver’s injury occurred during Thursday’s win in Houston when he landed awkwardly on his right knee while attempting a play in foul territory. He remained in that game after consulting with assistant athletic trainer Taylor Bennett but later clarified that his discomfort was due more to his back than his knee. “It wasn’t my most graceful fall,” Garver joked at the time. “I just jammed up my back. It was nothing with my knee or anything. I just jammed up my back a little. It should be fine.” Pereda has started at catcher for two consecutive games since being recalled from Triple-A Tacoma following Cal Raleigh’s placement on the injured list.
Donovan recently returned from a stint on the injured list after missing 17 games with a left groin muscle strain and continues recovering from sports hernia surgery performed last October. Discussing his ongoing recovery process last weekend, Donovan said: “I’m still learning a lot about recovery and things I can do to keep my hips healthy after my surgery.” He added: “I think workload is one of those things, and pelvic positioning is another thing. That’s something that we have to attack in the weight room and in the training room every day.” Since returning from injury, Donovan has recorded six hits in twenty-eight at-bats.
As both players remain under evaluation by team medical staff, their status will likely impact upcoming roster decisions for Seattle.
