Mariners scratch Brendan Donovan after ball hits him in head

Seattle Mariners leadoff hitter Brendan Donovan was scratched just before the start of Saturday’s game against the Chicago Cubs after he was struck in the head by a ball in the batting cages pregame, the Mariners announced during the second inning.

Donovan is undergoing further evaluation.

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Weston Wilson replaced Donovan at third base and batted eighth in the Mariners’ lineup. Randy Arozarena replaced Donovan in the leadoff spot and led off the bottom of the first with a solo home run on the first pitch.

The Mariners will certainly be hoping Donovan’s injury isn’t a serious one as it comes just as their prized offseason acquisition was heating up at the plate following a lengthy stint on the injured list with a left groin muscle strain.

Donovan, who made two trips to the IL and missed more than two months due to the groin issue, has reached base safely in 10 of his past 11 games, which includes six multi-hit games. During that stretch, he is slashing .318/.375/.386 with three doubles, seven RBIs and six runs scored.

Seattle Mariners news and more

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• Seattle Mariners seeing what Brendan Donovan can mean for lineup

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