Donovan missed two games on the team\u2019s previous road trip due to a groin issue. That didn\u2019t stop him from being one of the few players to produce for Seattle\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Donovan\u2019s first few weeks with the M\u2019s haven\u2019t been without their struggles, however. A former Gold Glove winner as a utility player<\/a>, Donovan has not looked very comfortable defensively as Seattle\u2019s 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).<\/p>\n Donovan spoke of playing through \u201cgrowing pains\u201d at the hot corner following a loss to the Rangers on Wednesday.<\/p>\n Mariners\u2019 Donovan working through \u2018growing pains\u2019 at 3B<\/a><\/p>\n 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\u2019s against right-handed pitchers. Utility infielder Leo Rivas will start in Donovan\u2019s place at third base.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s Seattle\u2019s full lineup for Friday against Houston starter Tatsuya Imai<\/a>:<\/p>\n Back at home \ud83c\udfe0<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcfa Mariners TV, @KING5Seattle<\/a> \u2014 Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 10, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Mariners Radio Network coverage<\/a> of Friday\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n More on the Seattle Mariners<\/p>\n \u2022 Salk: Two things about struggling Mariners are true at once<\/a>
\ud83d\udcfb @SeattleSports<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/6KDHHiiBug<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2022 Three encouraging things MLB insiders said about the Seattle Mariners<\/a>
\u2022 Brendan Donovan working through \u2018growing pains\u2019 at 3B<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0How this slow start by Mariners offense is different than others<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0One way a Colt Emerson call-up can get tricky for Seattle Mariners<\/a><\/p>\n
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