SEATTLE -- Ichiro never shortchanges his intensity on a baseball field, and Brendan Donovan learned that the hard way this week. But also in the best way. Donovan went through what he said was his most rigorous workout yet in his return from a left groin muscle strain by fielding hard-chopping ground balls on Tuesday. In the batter’s box slicing them with extra exertion was none other than the Japanese sensation and 2025 Hall of Fame inductee, who was in town this week. To be sure, Donovan did just fine when corralling the roughly two dozen balls hit his way. But he worked up quite a sweat, and the high-tech tracking vest that he was wearing to measure his running volume read that he was nearing 85-90% of his maximum sprint effort during separate running drills. “The training staff has done an awesome job,” Donovan said. |
If all continues to go well, Donovan said that he could begin a Minor League rehab assignment next week. And because he’ll need at least a full week of at-bats, if not more, he’ll likely transition to the Arizona Complex League once the sport halts for the All-Star break. Even the Minors take those same four days off, from July 13-16. This all points to him returning in the second half, but potentially on the early end. “Obviously, I'm not good at sitting, watching,” Donovan said. “So I'm kind of all over the place during the games -- in the dugout, in the cage -- like, I'm all over the place. But I'm ready to get back out there.” Tuesday’s workout with Ichiro was at second base, but Donovan also was in left field on Monday, and will move to third base on Thursday then right field on Friday. He is indeed transitioning to a super utility role that the club had long envisioned when acquiring him from the Cardinals just before Spring Training. “I actually like it,” said Donovan, who won the 2022 Gold Glove Award at the utility position as a rookie. “It's just kind of what I'm used to. It makes it more fun that way.” |
Donovan began the season as Seattle’s everyday third baseman, but the Mariners had always viewed him moving into a more versatile role once Colt Emerson reached the big leagues for good. That just so happened to be the corresponding roster move when Donovan was placed on the IL for the second time on May 17. Emerson is now entrenched as Seattle’s everyday shortstop, with veteran J.P. Crawford moving off the premium position and to third base full-time. At second base, Cole Young has played every inning over the Mariners’ first 87 games, but that will likely change once Donovan returns and can give the 22-year-old the occasional breather. The same goes for left fielder Randy Arozarena, who’s made two starts at designated hitter since returning from the IL on June 23. Donovan himself will likely necessitate DH days, too, given that the Mariners want this return from the IL to be for good. The Mariners also have lefty-hitting Dominic Canzone and Luke Raley in the right field and DH mix to account for. Essentially, how they piece their lineup together once Donovan returns will be of intrigue. But it will also be a great problem to have. |
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MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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HOLLANDER BACKS ATHLETIC TRAINING STAFF |
Before his latest injury update this week, Mariners general manager Justin Hollander opened by throwing full support to the club’s athletic training staff, who’ve recently been targeted for the litany of injuries that the team has weathered in 2026. “We've had a lot of injuries as a team right now, and I think it's fair for people to be frustrated by that,” Hollander said. “I don't really think it's fair to take a training staff and throw them under the bus for things that are out of their control.” The Mariners have placed 15 players on the IL this season for a cumulative total of 670 days, which is the 10th-fewest in MLB, per Spotrac. “It’s probably my mistake leaning on the lunatic fringe on Twitter or X,” Hollander said. “But I hate to see those people who I think do a great job and care more about these players than anyone I've ever been around as a staff -- and I think if you ask our players, present or former, how they feel about this training staff, they will tell you they're as good and as empathetic and caring and skilled as any training staff in the league. “These are really good people who care about the players. They care about keeping them healthy, [and] put their souls into these guys and develop trust and relationships. And they deserve better than that.” |
MLB Pipeline unveiled its “market corrections” to the Top 100 overall prospect rankings on Monday night, and with it, the Mariners were featured prominently. Kade Anderson moved up to No. 5 overall and is now the top pitching prospect in baseball, and Double-A Arkansas rotationmate Ryan Sloan isn’t far behind, now at No. 8. Additionally, shortstop Felnin Celesten (No. 75) saw the third-largest climb of any among the Top 100. |
Two weeks after being brought to tears when gifted custom cleats from patients at Seattle Children’s, Bryan Woo welcomed more from that group back on Tuesday -- for a reverse card-signing event. Then later that night, he set the franchise record for consecutive scoreless innings by a home pitcher at T-Mobile Park, with another dominant gem in an 8-3 win over the Angels. “It's good perspective to just remember what's important,” Woo said, “and just the opportunity and responsibility that you have every day to give back and to bring light to people.” |
50 Seasons Celebration Weekend • Aug. 7 -- Alumni Home Run Derby Night presented by Muckleshoot Casino Resort: Don’t miss an epic postgame competition as Ichiro, Mike Cameron and more swing for the fences. Buy Tickets » • Aug. 8 -- 50 Seasons Celebration Night presented by Daktronics: Witness the most iconic gathering of franchise greats as the Top 50 Mariners Players are unveiled and honored at T-Mobile Park. Buy Tickets » • Aug. 9 -- 50 Seasons Pin Day presented by KeyBank: As part of this season's collectible pin series, the first 10,000 fans will score a 50 Seasons Pin to add to their collection. Buy Tickets » Mariners Suites Are you planning an event this summer? Check out a Mariners Suite. The perfect venue for all kinds of events, from birthday parties and family celebrations to client meetings and company outings. Enjoy customizable set-ups, first-class catering and private entry & parking. Book now at Mariners.com/Suites. |
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