SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners' season and any potential playoff hopes could be decided in the next week.

The Mariners will have an extended nine-game homestand from July 31-Aug. 9, beginning with a three-game series starting against the Minnesota Twins at 7:10 p.m. PT on Friday.

Seattle will enter the homestand coming off a 2-5 homestand. The club is 53-57 and in third place in the American League West, 2.5 games out of first place.

The trade deadline will take place after the Mariners series against the Twins, giving the former a chance to stack a series of wins and build momentum before bolstering the roster with trade acquisitions.

The day after the trade deadline, Seattle will also get back a former All-Star and one once-lauded trade acquisition in his own right.

Utility player Brendan Donovan is 100% clear and will be activated off the injured list Tuesday before the beginning of the Mariners' three-game series against the Detroit Tigers, per a pregame interview provided by Seattle general manager Justin Hollander on Friday.

Donovan is currently receiving several days to take care of familial responsibilities before returning to the team. He and his wife are expecting the birth of their child any day.

The 2025 All-Star has been out since May 17 (retroactive to May 16) due to a left groin strain related to a sports hernia surgery he underwent last year. It's his second time on the IL this season due to the same ailment.

"There'll be days off for sure (when he comes back)," Hollander said Friday. " ... There'll be some days off, there'll be (designated hitter) days, just to build him back up. But he's in a good spot and feels really good about how his body's feeling. He felt really good at the plate over the last three or four (rehab games)."

Donovan has slashed .274/.386/.452 with an .838 OPS and has hit four doubles, a triple and three home runs with eight RBIs in 25 major league games this season.

With veteran infielder J.P. Crawford on the injured list, it's expected that Donovan will mostly play third base upon his return when he's able to be in the field and Colt Emerson will continue to play shortstop.

-- Crawford was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday due to right wrist inflammation. He'll be down for a "couple weeks," per Hollander. Utility infielder Leo Rivas was recalled from the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers in a corresponding move.

-- Right-handed reliever Carlos Vargas (right lat strain) is tentatively scheduled to make his return Aug. 15. He'll throw a bullpen Saturday and if it goes well, the team will decide whether his next step will be another bullpen, a live bullpen or a rehab outing.

-- Right-handed reliever Matt Brash (right lat strain) is about a week behind Vargas in his recovery, per Hollander. He'll throw from a slop Friday.

-- Right-handed reliever Cooper Criswell (right pec strain) is a week behind Brash in his recovery. Vargas, Brash and Criswell are all expected to be back by the first week of September.

-- Outfielder Luke Raley was out of the lineup for Friday's game against Minnesota due to a sore elbow. Victor Robles will start in right field instesad.

-- Top 100 prospect Felnin Celesten has been dealing with a minor back issue, which has kept him out the last several games for the Double-A Arkansas Travelers. He'll make his return for Arkansas' game Friday.

-- Triple-A outfielder Brennen Davis has been out since June 2 due to a hamstring strain. His recovery has been slower than originally anticipated and he's currently "working his way" back and doing light workouts. He's still "a ways away," Per Hollander.

-- Several injured players, including starting pitcher Logan Evans, were at T-Mobile Park on Friday. Evans is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery and is expected to be ready by spring training.