Brendan Donovan adds to red-hot spring with 1st HR

New Seattle Mariners third baseman Brendan Donovan is already looking like he’s in midseason form as opening day approaches.

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Donovan added to his red-hot first spring with the M’s during their Cactus League game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday – and it only took him one pitch to do so.

Donovan turned on the first pitch he saw from Brewers right-hander Carlos Rodriguez, mashing a 94 mph fastball over the wall in right field for a leadoff solo home run in the bottom of the first inning.

It was Donovan’s first home run of spring training.

After his name had been linked to the team throughout the offseason, the Mariners acquired Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-team trade on Feb. 2 that sent switch-pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje, outfielder Tai Pete and a Competitive Balance Round B pick to the Cardinals. Third baseman Ben Williamson was also sent to the Tampa Bay Rays in the deal.

Donovan’s arrival came with much fanfare as he was considered by many to be the missing piece of Seattle’s offseason. While spring training stats aren’t something to read into too much, he certainly hasn’t disappointed this spring.

Donovan is slashing .429/.500/.571 with a 1.071 OPS, two doubles, six RBIs and four walks to five strikeouts. He also had a four-hit game on Sunday and had five multi-hit games in 12 appearances entering Wednesday.

The versatile Donovan, a 2025 All-Star who can play all over the field defensively, is slated to open the season as Seattle’s third baseman and leadoff hitter.

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