See Mariners’ 1st lineup after Taylor Ward trade, Brendan Donovan return

The Seattle Mariners are easing Taylor Ward and Brendan Donovan into the lineup on Tuesday night.

Mariners make seven roster moves, including Donovan’s return

Ward, Seattle’s big addition before Monday’s MLB trade deadline, will hit eighth and be the designated hitter in Tuesday’s 6:40 p.m. series opener against the Detroit Tigers.

Donovan, who was the key trade acquisition in the offseason, returns to the Mariners after 2 1/2 months on the injured list for a left groin muscle strain playing third base and hitting seventh in the lineup.

Second-year second baseman Cole Young will continue to hit leadoff Tuesday even though both Donovan and Ward are candidates to hit in that spot. Not only is Young on an eight-game hitting streak, but over his last 10 games he is slashing .429/.467/.619 for a 1.086 OPS with a home run, a double and two triples.

With the Tigers starting right-handed pitcher Troy Melton, the Mariners are alternating between left-handed and right-handed hitters from one through nine in the lineup. Switch-hitting catcher Cal Raleigh will hit sixth for the Mariners, who are clearly prepared for the Tigers to deploy any of their three left-handed relief pitchers in the game. The M’s are avoiding having multiple lefty hitters going up to the plate back-to-back other than Colt Emerson being at No. 9 before the lineup turns back over to Young.

Here’s the full M’s lineup for Tuesday:

Rawr. pic.twitter.com/7J0XU9ZwcW

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) August 4, 2026

The Mariners’ offense has its work cut out against Melton, who has a 1.75 ERA this year and hasn’t allowed more than two runs in a game in any of his last seven starts.

Seattle will counter with right-hander Emerson Hancock (3.26 ERA) on the mound.

The Tigers (54-58) were one of the big sellers ahead of the trade deadline, dealing both ace Tarik Skubal (Dodgers) and starter Casey Mize (Padres) to the NL West.

The Mariners (55-58), who beat Detroit in the ALDS last year, were buyers, no doubt having more confidence in their ability to make it back to the postseason due to their division. Seattle enters Tuesday just 2 1/2 games behind the AL West-leading Houston Astros (58-56) while also being two games out of the last American League wild card spot.

Mariners Radio Network coverage on Seattle Sports of Tuesday’s game begins at 5:30 with the pregame show.

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• A closer look at Seattle Mariners’ haul from Luis Castillo trade

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