The Seattle Mariners will open their homestand Friday night without one of their best hitters in the lineup.

Third baseman Brendan Donovan is sitting in Game 1 of the Mariners’ series with the division rival Houston Astros due to illness, Seattle manager Dan Wilson said.

Ex-Mariners OF called up by Astros before series in Seattle

Donovan missed two games on the team’s previous road trip due to a groin issue. That didn’t stop him from being one of the few players to produce for Seattle’s offense upon his return, as he added his team-high third home run on Tuesday against Texas. Donovan, a 2025 All-Star who was an offseason trade acquisition from St. Louis, leads the Mariners with a .316 batting average, .422 on-base percentage, .605 slugging mark, and 1.027 OPS in 11 games.

Donovan’s first few weeks with the M’s haven’t been without their struggles, however. A former Gold Glove winner as a utility player, Donovan has not looked very comfortable defensively as Seattle’s primary third baseman. He already has four errors, as many as he had all season in 2025. Donovan has played 57 career MLB games at third, having spent most of his playing time with the Cardinals at second base (225 games) and left field (163).

Donovan spoke of playing through “growing pains” at the hot corner following a loss to the Rangers on Wednesday.

Mariners’ Donovan working through ‘growing pains’ at 3B

Shortstop J.P. Crawford will get his first start of the year in the leadoff spot Friday in place of Donovan, who usually hits first for the M’s against right-handed pitchers. Utility infielder Leo Rivas will start in Donovan’s place at third base.

Here’s Seattle’s full lineup for Friday against Houston starter Tatsuya Imai:

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— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 10, 2026

On the mound, the Mariners will start early-season surprise Emerson Hancock, who has a 0.71 ERA, 0.553 WHIP and 14 strikeouts to just one walk over his first two outings this year.

Mariners Radio Network coverage of Friday’s game begins on Seattle Sports 710 AM and the Seattle Sports app with the pregame show at 5:30 p.m, with first pitch set for 6:40.

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