Mariners Notebook: The latest on Hancock and Donovan

Seattle Mariners right-hander Emerson Hancock was “moving around well” on Saturday after tweaking his groin in Friday night’s 8-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, according to Seattle Sports Mariners insider Shannon Drayer.

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Hancock hurt his groin in the first inning while diving to tag out Toronto’s Nathan Lukes on a soft grounder down the first-base line. Hancock grimaced as he got up and was evaluated by head athletic trainer Kyle Torgerson and manager Dan Wilson before remaining in the game.

Hancock proceeded to give up three runs in the first inning, but settled in over the next few frames. He went five innings, allowing five runs on eight hits.

Hancock’s next scheduled start is in Wednesday’s series finale against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

“I think likely we’ll see here in the next day or so how he’s moving around and how he’s testing it,” Wilson said on Saturday.

Wilson commended Hancock for pushing through the groin issue. A first-inning exit would have been a blow to the Mariners’ bullpen as the team embarked on a stretch of 10 games in 10 days.

“He really wanted to stay in that game, and it was close,” Wilson said. “You really don’t want to put your pitcher in that position, but you keep an eye on the velo and it really seemed to be there. It didn’t seem to bother him too much, but you know it was barking a little bit.

“But he really stuck it out. I give him a lot of credit.”

Donovan getting closer to return

Third baseman/utilityman Brendan Donovan remained on the seven-day concussion injured list Saturday, which was the first day he was eligible to be activated.

Donovan was hit in the head in the batting cage by a pitch from an unnamed Mariners staffer on Aug. 22. Donovan wasn’t wearing a helmet when he was hit.

“He’s doing better,” Wilson said. “Good to have him here. A good day yesterday and I think the activity level continues to increase, so he continues to handle it. So just assessing it day by day, but getting much closer.”

Rodden gets first start at 3B

Recently promoted rookie infielder Brock Rodden made his first career start at third base on Saturday, while veteran J.P. Crawford started at shortstop. Since making his MLB debut on Aug. 14, Rodden had made nine starts at shortstop and one at second base.

Wilson said Crawford will primarily play shortstop once Donovan returns.

“Once we get BD back, that’s likely where (Crawford) will land most of the time,” Wilson said. “So just a chance to get him out there a little bit more today and keep Brock’s bat in the lineup as well.”

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