SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners took a major hit on Monday when third baseman/utility player Brendan Donovan went on the injured list due to a left groin muscle strain. He was placed on the IL retroactive to April 18, which was when he was pulled from a game against the Texas Rangers.

Infielder Will Wilson was selected from the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers in a corresponding move.

When Donovan exited Friday's game, it was originally due to what was described as a hip issue. The 2025 All-Star was pulled earlier in the year in a game against the Los Angeles Angels on April 4 due to his groin injury.

Following Donovan's exit against the Rangers, Mariners manager Dan Wilson said the hip and groin issues weren't related. Wilson also said Donovan was available off the bench for the team's rubber match against Texas on Sunday, which Seattle won 5-2.

Despite the issues initially considered not connected, Seattle sent Donovan to receive imaging Sunday and felt the results were enough to place him on the 10-day IL with the groin designation.

However, Wilson doesn't seem to feel that the injury will be something that's a long-term concern.

"It's something that we originally thought was day-to-day," Wilson said in a pregame interview Monday. "I don't think it's something that's gonna keep him out a long time. But definitely warranted an IL stint, at this point."

Donovan's current issues could be related to a sports hernia injury and surgery he suffered last year.

Donovan underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia in October. Before the procedure, he was on the 10-day injured list from Aug. 15, 2025, to Sept. 12, 2025, with a left-groin strain — similar to his current situation with the Mariners.

Wilson wasn't able to provide an exact diagnosis on Donovan but offered a note that it's not uncommon for players to deal with similar issues following a sports hernia surgery.

"I am not a medical person, so it's hard for me to kind of speak on it," Wilson said. "But, from what I understand, a lot of people that have had a similar surgery battled this kind of stuff. This is just something that we're gonna take as cautiously as we can. It's early (in the season) and we want to give him the best chance to get back and be 100%."

Donovan has slashed .304/.437/.518 with a .955 OPS in 18 games this season. He's hit three doubles and three home runs with eight RBIs.

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