Details emerge on accident that led to Brendan Donovan’s IL stint

Brendan Donovan was not wearing a helmet in the batting cages when he was hit in the head by a pitch thrown by an unnamed Seattle Mariners staff member just before the start of Saturday’s game against the Chicago Cubs, general manger Justin Hollander told reporters before Monday’s contest against Philadelphia.

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Donovan was scratched from the Mariners’ lineup Saturday after the incident, which occurred roughly 15 minutes before first pitch, and placed on the 7-day concussion injured list Sunday.

“Absolutely a freak accident,” Hollander said. “Feel terrible for BD. He had kind of a year from hell in a lot of ways. Someone who loves to play who has not been able to.”

Hollander noted that taking live batting practice in the cages pregame is common for big leaguers, especially Donovan.

“Just a throw got away and hit him in the head. It’s no one’s fault. It happens,” Hollander said.

Donovan is still dealing with concussion symptoms but was “much improved” Monday. The earliest he could return to the Mariners is Sunday.

“It’s a day-to-day thing,” Hollander said. “I think everyone knows that these things can be better, and then a little worse, then a little better. So, we’ll see how it is over the coming days.”

Donovan’s most recent IL stint is his third this year. He made two previous trips to the injured list with a left groin muscle strain, including one that lasted more than two months. He’s been limited to just 39 games in his first year with Seattle.

The timing of the injury is tough for both Donovan and the Mariners.

Seattle’s third baseman had recently found his groove at the plate after returning from his second IL stint on Aug. 4. He had reached base in 10 of his past 11 games before the incident, which included six multi-hit games. During that stretch, he slashed .318/.375/.386 with three doubles, seven RBIs and six runs scored.

Donovan’s absence has also left Seattle’s infield thin as it attempts to make up ground in races for the American League West title and the AL wild card with just 31 games remaining on the schedule. The Mariners entered Monday three games back of the Houston Astros for first in their division and three games behind the Cleveland Guardians for the final wild-card berth.

In addition to Donovan’s injury, the club is without J.P. Crawford and rookie Colt Emerson, the latter of which is set to have season-ending wrist surgery on Wednesday. Crawford (left wrist inflammation) could return from his rehab assignment as soon as Tuesday.

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