Donovan out of Mariners’ lineup for 2nd straight game vs Astros

Brendan Donovan is out of the Seattle Mariners’ lineup with an illness for a second straight day on Saturday against the Houston Astros.

How Morosi sees decision M’s may have to make on Donovan

Manager Dan Wilson told reporters pregame that Donovan could return to action tomorrow. Mariners insider Shannon Drayer reported the third baseman was taking part in early drills Saturday afternoon.

This is set to be the fourth game Donovan has missed early this season. He also missed the final two games of Seattle’s series against the Angels last weekend with a groin issue.

With Donovan out of the lineup, Leo Rivas is getting the start again at third base and batting ninth. Rivas went 1 for 2 with two walks and scored one of Seattle’s nine runs in their victory over the Astros on Friday night.

J.P. Crawford is also taking Donovan’s place in the leadoff spot for a second straight night. Crawford went 1 for 3 with two walks, an RBI and a run scored out of the leadoff spot Friday.

Below is a look at the rest of the Mariners’ lineup as right-hander Luis Castillo takes the mound against Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr.

The Rock gets the rock. #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/wiWgqGymA1

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 11, 2026

This will be the first time Castillo matches up with division rival Houston this season. Since joining the Mariners via trade on July 30, 2022, the right-hander has 3.02 ERA and 1.09 WHIP with 44 strikeouts to nine walks over 50 2/3 innings in eight starts against the Astros. He was particularly strong against them last season with a 1.53 ERA and 19 strikeouts over 17 2/3 innings in three starts, which included two starts where he allowed no runs.

Castillo has a 2.79 ERA with 11 strikeouts over 9 2/3 innings in his first two starts this season.

McCullers has faced the Mariners only once since missing the 2023 and 2024 seasons with injuries, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks over 2 2/3 innings on July 19 last season.

McCullers has a 3.27 ERA with 13 strikeouts over 11 innings in two starts this season.

Late night baseball.

⚾️: 8:40pm CDT
📺: @SpaceCityHN | @espn (HOU Blackout)
🎙️: @SportsTalk790 & 740 | Spanish: 102.9 HD2#ChaseTheFight x @reliantenergy pic.twitter.com/D1EEAOMhu4

— Houston Astros (@astros) April 11, 2026

The Mariners face the Astros at 6:40 p.m. on Saturday. Radio coverage begins with the pregame show at 5:30 p.m. on Seattle Sports 710 AM and the Seattle Sports.

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