Leo

Rivas

Top prospect Colt Emerson isn’t going anywhere, even when Brendan Donovan is back from the injured list. Rivas offers some appeal in a bench role, but the Mariners are trying to make a real playoff push this summer and there simply isn’t a spot for him anymore. There’s always a chance injuries bring him back to the big leagues in a bench role later this summer.

Crawford was hit by a pitch in the triceps area in the third and was removed two innings later. Leo Rivas replaced him at shortstop, as the Mariners chose to keep Colt Emerson at third.

The 20-year-old Emerson, who was hitting .255/.347/.469 with seven homers and 10 steals in 38 games for Tacoma, has been added to an updated Mariners lineup and will play third and bat ninth in his MLB debut Sunday night against the Padres. Leo Rivas was originally in that spot. With Brendan Donovan on the IL, the Mariners can just play Emerson at the hot corner for now. The team will have to think about him at shortstop later, though. Ideally, he’ll be in the majors for good, but that could change if he struggles during Donovan’s absence.

Donovan wasn’t the only player scratched, as the Mariners also removed Mitch Garver from Saturday’s lineup. No reason has been given as to why either player was removed, but it’s very likely injury-related. Leo Rivas is now the third baseman, and Jonny Pereda will handle catching duties. There should be an update on both shortly.

No surprise here as the Mariners are probably going to be cautious with his workload after Donovan returned from the injured list for Friday’s series opener. The 29-year-old infielder went 1-for-5 before being lifted for a defensive replacement in the eighth inning. It’ll be Leo Rivas taking over at the hot corner in this one.

Donovan had been out since Apr. 18 with a groin strain. His return should send Leo Rivas to the bench and J.P. Crawford back down to the bottom third of Seattle’s lineup.

It’s a tough break for the Mariners, and fantasy managers, since Donovan was off to a phenomenal start at the dish in his Seattle debut, slashing a robust .304/.437/.518 with three homers, eight RBI and one steal through 18 games. The versatile 29-year-old appears unlikely to require a lengthy absence since top prospect Colt Emerson wasn’t brought up to take over at third base. He’ll get some extra time off to put a lingering groin and hip issue to bed after implying that he believes they may be related to the sports hernia surgery he underwent last October. There should be a definitive return timetable at some point in the near future. It’ll be Leo Rivas taking over at the hot corner as a temporary stopgap in his absence.

It’s the second straight start that Donovan has missed due to tightness in his left hip. Leo Rivas will start in his place at the hot corner and will bat ninth for the Mariners on Sunday afternoon against MacKenzie Gore and the Rangers.

Donovan had been feeling a bit under the weather so the Mariners thought it wise to give him the night off. Leo Rivas will start in his place at third base and bat ninth while J.P. Crawford serves as the M’s leadoff hitter against Tatsuya Imai and the Astros on Friday evening in Seattle.

Donovan exited Saturday’s game with leg discomfort, and he unsurprisingly will miss at least one more contest. Luke Raley is moving up to the leadoff spot with Donovan out, and Leo Rivas will handle third base and hit ninth.