Mariners’ Brendan Donovan takes step toward return

Seattle Mariners utility man Brendan Donovan began his rehab assignment with the club’s Arizona Complex League affiliate on Wednesday night.

Donovan was in the ACL Mariners’ lineup batting leadoff as the designated hitter against the ACL Padres. He went 0 for 3 at the plate with three strikeouts and one walk.

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It marks the 2025 All-Star’s first game action since since May 15. He’s been on the injured list since May 17 with left groin muscle strain, his second stint on the IL with the injury this season. Donovan also missed over two weeks from late April into early May and has said he first felt discomfort in his groin and hip after colliding with the wall while making a catch in foul territory while serving as Seattle’s third baseman on March 28.

The Mariners have avoided putting a hard timeline on when their key offseason trade acquisition will return. The club has been cautious with the injury since it’s been complicated by effects from the sports hernia surgery Donovan had during the offseason. General manager Justin Hollander on June 30 said the surgery is one that could take Donovan eight months to a year to feel fully recovered from.

Donovan had been one of the Mariners’ best hitters before landing on the injured list the second time. In 25 games, the left-handed hitter batted .274 with an .838 OPS, three homers, four doubles, one triple, 11 walks and 15 strikeouts while primarily serving as the club’s leadoff batter.

The Mariners acquired Donovan from the St. Louis Cardinals in a three-team trade Feb. 2 that sent pitching prospect Jurrangelo Cijntje, outfield prospect Tai Peete and a Competitive Balance Round B pick in the 2026 MLB Draft to the Cardinals, and third baseman Ben Williamson to the Tampa Bay Rays.

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