Leo Rivas stepped in for Donovan in the Seattle Mariners extra-inning win against the Angels after the latter left due to a leg injury
The Seattle Mariners earned their first win against an American League West foe this season on Friday night.
The Mariners prevailed 3-1 in a 10-inning showdown against the Los Angeles Angels that featured a masterful pitching duel between M's starter Bryan Woo and Angels starter Reid Detmers.
The Mariners are now 4-4 on the young season.
Unfortunately for Seattle, the win might have also come with an unfortunate loss.
In the top of the seventh inning, Mariners third baseman Brendan Donovan grounded out and landed awkwardly at first base. Donovan was taken out of the game in the bottom of the seventh inning and Leo Rivas subbed in for him.
According to postgame comments from Seattle manager Dan Wilson, Donovan experienced discomfort in his leg after the awkward landing that "didn't feel great."
Dononvan will be reevaluated Saturday to determine the severity the injury.
If Donovan's injury is serious, it would be a massive loss for the Mariners.
Donovan, who was the St. Louis Cardinals' only All-Star selection in 2025, was a priority offseason target for Seattle.
The Mariners managed to acquire Donovan from the Cardinals in a three-team trade that also involved the Tampa Bay Rays on Feb. 2. Seattle gave up a Competitive Balance Round B draft pick (Cardinals), switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje (Cardinals), outfielder Tai Peete (Cardinals) and third baseman Ben Williamson (Rays) in the deal.
Donovan has been an every-day starter for Seattle at third base since the regular season began. He's mostly served as the team's lead-off hitter against right-handed pitching and the No. 6 hitter against left-handed pitchers.
The versatile 29-year-old has been the most consistent bat in the Mariners lineup. He's slashed .370/.485/.667 with a 1.152 OPS in eight games and has hit two doubles and two home runs with four RBIs.
Shortstop J.P. Crawford made his return for Seattle on Friday after missing the first seven games of the season due to right shoulder inflammation.
With Crawford back in the lineup, Rivas will likely take over for Donovan if he's out for Saturday's game, as he did for 7th-to-10th innings Friday.
Rivas has played 10 total innings at third base in his three years since making his major league debut in 2024. This season, he has been the starter at shortstop in place of Crawford. He's slashed .160/.222/.240 with a .462 OPS and has hit a triple with an RBI in eight games.
The Mariners will attempt to secure their first series win of the season in game two of the three-game set at 6:38 p.m. PT on Saturday at Angel Stadium.
Emerson Hancock will take the mound for the Mariners after a brilliant start last Sunday against the Cleveland Guardians.
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