Mariners hopeful Julio Rodríguez will return after All-Star break

The Seattle Mariners aren’t expecting center fielder Julio Rodríguez to return for their final series before the All-Star break against the Tampa Bay Rays.

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Seattle Sports M’s insider Shannon Drayer reported Friday the club is hoping Rodríguez will be able to return from his stint on the injured list with a concussion when the club resumes play after the All-Star break next Friday at home against the San Francisco Giants.

Rodríguez, who was placed on the 7-day concussion IL last week, was eligible to return for Friday’s series opener in Tampa Bay.

“Julio continues to keep pushing,” manager Dan Wilson told reporters Friday at Tropicana Field. “The baseball work, I think it’s continuing to elevate and increase the volume every day, and that’s been a really good thing. And I think as we get into the break, I think (he) will be able to get to the point where he’s feeling good and is asymptomatic and coming out of the break ready to go.”

Rodríguez suffered a concussion last Thursday against the Los Angeles Angels when he was hit in the back of his helmet by a throw while running from first base to second in the bottom of the first inning. He remained in the game for another inning but was eventually pulled for defensive replacement Victor Robles in the top of the third.

The center fielder stayed in Seattle to work with staff at T-Mobile Park when the M’s left for their six-game Florida road trip earlier this week.

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Wilson also addressed that status of injured utilityman Brendan Donovan, who’s been sidelined since May 16 with a left groin muscle strain. While there was still no hard timeline given for when Donovan will begin a rehab assignment, he said he expects that to happen soon.

“We’re continuing to monitor that and really want to make sure with BD that he’s ready to go when we start that rehab process,” Wilson said. “He’s continuing to check the boxes that we have for him and getting very close. My guess is over the next several days he will be starting to get into game action and get the rehab assignment started.”

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