Where Mariners’ Brendan Donovan is at in rehab from injury

SEATTLE – Brendan Donovan is about to hit the next phase in his rehab process and could be in line to begin a minor league assignment in the coming weeks.

Seattle Mariners’ rotation going back to piggyback – with a twist

Mariners general manager Justin Hollander on Tuesday said Donovan is set to begin a running progression this week, a vital step towards returning from the right groin muscle strain that’s kept him out since May 16.

“The most important thing for him is the running progression,” said Hollander, who noted Donovan would also begin fielding grounders and taking swings at the plate. “Low concern that he’s not going to come through (on) the hitting and groundballs and throwing across the diamond part of it.”

Donovan’s running progression will start with straight-line running before moving on to running the bases and stop-and-start movement. It’s expected to last 10 to 14 days, though Hollander emphasized the club’s top priority is to make sure it doesn’t rush Donovan through it.

“This is the part we want to get right and make sure his groin responds well to,” Hollander said.

Donovan could be ready to head straight into a minor league rehab assignment once the running progression ends. Hollander estimated the assignment could start in late June or early July.

Donovan, who was with the club in Seattle on Tuesday, has been on the injured list twice this season with the groin injury, which is connected to the sports hernia surgery he had during the offseason before Seattle acquired him in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals.

As far as knowing for sure if Donovan’s is completely healed, Hollander said the nature of the injury makes that a difficult task.

“I think the best thing we can do is make sure that we’re communicating effectively and then he’s being honest with us about how he feels. I think load management is going to be a real part of this,” Hollander said. “It’s maybe something that’s not Brendan’s strong suit, is backing off in pregame and not wanting to take that thousand groundballs with (infield coach Perry Hill) in different spots.”

“He and I talked yesterday for a little bit about just the idea of trusting his instincts, that he’s done this a lot” Hollander added. “He doesn’t need to go through hours and hours of pregame progression in every spot, and he seemed comfortable with where he’s at right now and in good spirits.”

Seattle Mariners Lineup: J.P. Crawford at 3B; Naylor, Arozarena day-to-day

When Donovan does make his return, he will get some extra days as the designated hitter worked in to manage his workload. But the team is also planning to deploy Donovan in more of a utility role like he had with the Cardinals, seeing time at second base, third base and the outfield. All 191 2/3 innings he had played in the field for the M’s before his second IL stint came at third base.

“He will be more multi-positional than he was for us prior to the injury,” Hollander said.

Prior to his injury, Donovan was hitting .274 with an .852 OPS, three homers, four doubles and one triple in 25 games.

The Mariners begin a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday at 6:40 p.m. Radio coverage on Seattle Sports 710 AM and the Seattle Sports app begins with the pregame show at 5:30 p.m.

Seattle Mariners news and more

• Stacy: Cal Raleigh doesn’t need to be the Seattle Mariners’ savior
• Why Morosi says Mitch Garver could be a Seattle Mariners trade chip
• Two Seattle Mariners in the mix in first All-Star ballot update

Related

Cal Raleigh answers for the Mariners’ strugglesSlumping Mariners fall 4-1 to Yankees for 5th straight lossAL West Check-In: MLB-worst Angels fire pitching coach in staff shake-upMariners-Yankees Lineups: No Josh Naylor for series openerBased on precedence, a big Mariners run should be coming soonRob Refsnyder may have retired over joining Mariners rival