The Seattle Mariners placed starting third baseman Brendan Donovan on the 10-day injured list Monday with a left groin strain, recalling infielder Will Wilson from Triple-A Tacoma to fill his roster spot.
The move, made retroactive to April 18, came after Donovan exited Friday’s game against Texas with left hip discomfort and missed Saturday and Sunday’s contests. To create space on the 40-man roster, veteran utility player Miles Mastrobuoni was shifted from the 10-day to the 60-day injured list due to a lingering right calf strain from the World Baseball Classic.
Donovan, acquired in a three-team trade with the St. Louis Cardinals in February, has been one of Seattle’s top hitters this season, posting a .304/.437/.518 slash line in 18 games with three home runs, eight RBIs and a .954 OPS. He typically bats leadoff against right-handed pitching.
Wilson, 27, was selected after the Mariners determined they needed only a short-term utility option. He has appeared in 34 major league games, mostly with Cleveland in 2023, and owns a .275 average with seven walks and a .783 OPS in 14 Triple-A contests this season. His 540 minor league games provide positional flexibility across second, third and shortstop.
The decision not to promote top prospect Colt Emerson, despite fan pressure and his .908 OPS in 24 Triple-A games, drew criticism. Emerson, the No. 7 prospect in baseball per FanSided and recent signee of a $95 million contract extension, is dealing with wrist soreness that manager Dan Wilson said factored into the delay.
Wilson added that Emerson’s wrist issue, while not severe, made the timing unsuitable for a call-up, especially since the Mariners do not anticipate Donovan missing significant time. “Just didn’t feel like this was the right time,” Wilson told Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times on April 20.
Leo Rivas has started the past two games at third base in Donovan’s absence, hitting .143/.295/.184 this season but owning a .217/.348/.278 career slash. Rivas, a switch-hitter, performs significantly better against right-handed pitching (.221/.372/.305) than left (.210/.304/.235).
FanGraphs data shows groin strains typically sideline players for an average of 27 days, though some return sooner than their 10-day IL stint suggests. The Mariners have not specified a timetable for Donovan’s return but indicated he will be sidelined for at least another week.
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Donovan previously dealt with a right groin issue earlier in the season and told Daniel Kramer of MLB.com that his discomfort might relate to sports hernia surgery he underwent in October. That procedure did not deter trade interest over the winter, with multiple clubs pursuing him before Seattle secured his services.
The Mariners, now 10-13, opened a three-game series against the Athletics at T-Mobile Park Monday night at 6:40 p.m., with Mariners Radio Network coverage beginning at 5:30 p.m. On Seattle Sports.
How the Mariners balanced short-term need with long-term plans
The club chose Will Wilson over Colt Emerson not only due to Emerson’s wrist issue but since they view Donovan’s absence as temporary. Wilson’s versatility and major league exposure made him a safer stopgap for a roster needing immediate infield coverage without disrupting Emerson’s development timeline.
Why fan frustration grew over the Emerson omission
Social media reaction reflected disappointment that the Mariners bypassed a chance to accelerate Emerson’s arrival, especially given his $95 million contract and status as a top-tier prospect. Critics noted the timing aligned with a potential audition, though the club maintained Emerson requires everyday at-bats to justify a promotion.
What Donovan’s injury history suggests about his availability
Donovan’s recurring groin discomfort, including a prior right-side issue and possible links to offseason surgery, raises questions about his durability despite his strong offensive production when healthy. The Mariners remain optimistic about a swift return but have not ruled out a longer absence.
How long is Brendan Donovan expected to be out?
The Mariners anticipate Donovan will miss more than a week but have not specified an exact timetable, noting groin strains vary in recovery time and some players return sooner than their 10-day IL stint suggests.
Why didn’t the Mariners call up Colt Emerson instead of Will Wilson?
Manager Dan Wilson cited Emerson’s wrist soreness as a factor in the decision, stating the timing did not feel right for a promotion, especially since the team views Donovan’s injury as short-term and wants Emerson to play regularly when called up.
What is Will Wilson’s role expected to be with the Mariners?
Wilson is expected to serve as a utility infielder, providing depth at second, third and shortstop, with manager Dan Wilson indicating he is not an ideal platoon bat for Leo Rivas due to inconsistent career splits against left- and right-handed pitching.
How has Brendan Donovan performed this season before his injury?
In 18 games, Donovan batted .304 with a .437 on-base percentage and .518 slugging percentage, totaling three home runs, eight RBIs and nine walks while serving as Seattle’s usual leadoff hitter against right-handed pitching.
