The 2025 All-Star was out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Angels but avoided a long-term injury
The Seattle Mariners are looking to earn their first series win of the season in game two of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif.
The Mariners took the first of the three-game set against their American League West foes in a 3-1, 10th-inning win against the Angels on Friday. But the loss didn't come without some worries for Seattle.
Third baseman Brendan Donovan exited the game in the bottom of the seventh inning after landing awkwardly on first base trying to leg out an infield single in the top-half of the inning. He was feeling discomfort in his leg, which prompted his exit.
Donovan was scheduled to be reevaluated Saturday. He was absent from the team's lineup against the Angels. Leo Rivas will fill in for Donovan at third base, as he did in the 7th-through-10th innings Friday. Rivas will hit ninth in the lineup and right fielder Luke Raley will take over Donovan's usual role as the lead-off hitter.
Before Saturday's game, MLB.com writer Daniel Kramer reported in a post on "X" that Donovan is dealing with a groin issue in the leg that didn't hit the bag Friday. He underwent MRIs, which came back clean.
The issue appears to be day-to-day and Seattle will reevaluate again Sunday, per Kramer's reporting.
According to additional reporting from Seattle Times writer Ryan Divish, Donovan participated in light workouts and agility drills before the game Saturday.
Donovan, was acquired by the Mariners from the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-team trade that also involved the Tampa Bay Rays on Feb. 2, has been the most consistent hitter in the M's lineup since the regular season began.
Through eight games, Donovan has slashed .370/.485/.667 with a 1.152 OPS. He's hit two doubles and two home runs with four RBIs and has stolen a base. He's struck out just six times in 33 plate appearances.
Seattle is currently in the midst of a six-game road trip. It will conclude the series against Los Angeles at 1:07 p.m. PT on Sunday. The M's will begin a three-game series against another AL West rival, the Texas Rangers, at 5:05 p.m. PT on Monday at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
Emerson Hancock, fresh off a nine-strikeout, six-inning performance against the Cleveland Guardians, will be on the mound for game two against the Angels on Saturday.
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