Mariners can't mistake Brendan Donovan's return as a trade deadline game-changer

Regardless of any moves the Mariners make ahead of next Monday's trade deadline, Jerry Dipoto acknowledges the chances at a playoff spot depend more on the current roster playing better. More specifically, this means the likes of Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodríguez and Josh Naylor. Additionally, the hope is that Brendan Donovan's return will help, but the reality is this comes with no guarantees.

There was plenty of excitement when the Mariners first completed the blockbuster trade for Donovan back in February, and understandably so. After all, they were acquiring a versatile defender with a career .772 OPS and leadership skills, who was coming off an All-Star campaign with the Cardinals. And on a surface level, why shouldn't M's fans be hopeful about his imminent return, as someone who has produced an .839 OPS for their team when he has played this season?

As per Adam Jude of The Seattle Times, Mariners manager Dan Wilson said there's a chance Donovan could be back as soon as Tuesday. The club will have a better feel for his return timeline following his assessment on Monday, while also factoring in that the 29-year-old's wife is expecting their second child any day now. Pending congratulations aside though, his rehab assignment hasn't been great.

Durability is arguably the biggest concern for the Mariners with Brendan Donovan

Donovan has played eight games across the Complex League in Arizona, Triple-A Tacoma and High-A Everett, and the results have been underwhelming to say the least. He has gone just 2-for-31 with one walk and 10 strikeouts across 34 plate appearances. Let's also not forget his rehab assignment was delayed due to setbacks in his recovery from a left groin muscle strain, which has been a lingering fallout from this offseason surgery for a sports hernia.

Producing just two hits is reason alone to be concerned about what to expect from Donovan when he returns. Now throw in the fact this is his second stint this year on the Injured List with a groin strain, with him already guaranteed to play the fewest games of his five years in the majors. It's also worth noting he did little on his short-lived first return from the Injured List, managing just a .588 OPS in seven games.

We haven't even got to Donovan's defense yet, with him looking poor at third base for the Mariners earlier this season. In fairness, there's still some hope for a player who won a Gold Glove in 2022 as a utility player, and the expectation is he will be just that when he returns. This should include playing time in the outfield, with him looking good out there during his rehab assignment, including this beauty of a catch in Everett:

To be clear, we're hopeful can Donovan come back and show just why the Mariners traded for him in the first place. However, there's enough concerns to be wary, with the totality of it all being that anything the team gets from him at this point is a bonus. Which means the attention still has to be on offensive upgrades until further notice, whether it be internal or via the trade market.

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