Third baseman/utility player Brendan Donovan is back for the Mariners for the start of their seven-game road trip.
The Seattle Mariners are set to begin a seven-game road trip with the first of a three-game set against the Chicago White Sox at 4:40 p.m. PT on Friday at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago.
The Mariners, who entered Friday with an 18-20 record and tied with the Detroit Tigers for the final two American League wild card spots, will be getting a big boost to the lineup for the road trip.
Starting third baseman/utility player Brendan Donovan was activated off the 10-day injured list ahead of the game Friday. Catcher Jhonny Pereda was optioned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers in a corresponding move.
The 2025 All-Star was placed on the IL with a left groin strain April 20 (retroactive to April 18). He was sent on a rehab assignment with the Double-A Arkansas Travelers on May 5 and played one game, going 1-for-3 with a run, a double and an RBI. He also drew two walks.
Donovan will be in the lineup for Seattle's game against Chicago. He will return to his usual spot at the hot corner and will be hitting in the lead-off spot.
Donovan was the biggest offseason acquisition for the Mariners. He was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-team trade that also involved the Tampa Bay Rays on Feb. 2.
Since coming to the Pacific Northwest, Donovan has been one of Seattle's most consistent at-bats when he's been in the lineup. In 18 games, Donovan has slashed .304/.437/.518 with a .955 OPS. He's hit three doubles and three home runs with eight RBIs.
Donovan will be batting in front Cal Raleigh, who will return to his normal spot as the team's starting catcher.
Raleigh missed three games against the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves from May 2-4 with right side soreness.
The 2025 American League MVP finalist returned to the lineup as the designated hitter for the final two games against Atlanta but went 0-for-8 with five strikeouts. Mitch Garver and Pereda filled in for Raleigh behind the plate for the final two games of the series.
Seattle Mariners catcher Jhonny Pereda (right) reacts after hitting a single during a game against the Atlanta Braves on May 6 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. | Kevin Ng/Imagn Images.Raleigh's first game back behind the plate and Donovan's first back at the hot corner will be with starting pitcher Emerson Hancock on the mound.
Hancock is coming off a career-best outing where he struck out a career-high 14 batters and allowed one earned run on six hits in seven innings pitched against the Royals on May 2.
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