Brendan Donovan’s return from the injured list lasted barely more than a week before the groin/core issue resurfaced. The Mariners placed Donovan on the 10-day IL with a strained left groin after he had been out of the lineup for several days with what had been described more vaguely as an injury concern. This looks like it could be the same physical problem Seattle had been monitoring since April, tied to the groin/hip discomfort that followed his offseason sports hernia surgery.
Seattle activated Donovan on May 8 after a one-game rehab assignment with Double-A Arkansas, where he went 1-for-3 with a double and two walks. Reuters reported then that Donovan and Wilson had both indicated the current groin issue still needed to be watched closely and was likely related to the October procedure. That is the key context for why the latest absence went from undisclosed to IL-worthy so quickly: the Mariners were probably hoping it was manageable soreness, then got to the point where carrying him day-to-day made less sense.
The timing is rough for Seattle because Donovan had been one of the club’s steadiest offensive pieces when available. Before the first IL stint, he was hitting .304 with three home runs, eight RBI, nine walks and a .955 OPS in 18 games. He also brought real defensive flexibility after coming over from St. Louis in the offseason, with a Gold Glove utility background and experience around the diamond.
In a corresponding move, prized prospect Colt Emerson has been called up to replace Donovan on the roster.
