Brendan Donovan injury update amid playoff push

The Seattle Mariners are waiting for third baseman Brendan Donovan to return just as they make a feverish push for October.

On Thursday, the Mariners received a status report about his expected return from a recent head contusion, per MLB.com. Mariners manager Dan Wilson said Donovan has taken “incremental steps” in pre-game workouts.

He is on a day-to-day path.

Therefore, Donovan is expected to return during their two upcoming home series. Beginning on Thursday, the Mariners will host a four-game series against the Athletics. Afterward, they will play a three-game series against the Texas Rangers.

On Aug. 22, Donovan was hit in the head during batting practice without wearing a helmet. As a result, he was placed on the  7-day concussion injured list.

Currently, Seattle is 66-74 and is five games behind the Houston Astros in the American League West Division. They are 5.5 games behind the New York Yankees in the American League Wild Card standings.

The numbers say that Seattle will have a tough time. Their schedule reiterates that. They have some easy opponents lying ahead (Athletics, Los Angeles Angels, and Colorado Rockies). However, they will play the Astros Sept. 22 to 23.

If they can notch up enough wins, they can have a shot. After all, the American League West is truly in play.

Last year, the Mariners made it all the way to the American League Championship Series (ALCS). However, they lost to the Toronto Blue Jays in an epic seven-game series.

Donovan is batting .277 with 38 hits, 3 home runs, and 15 RBIs.