Mariners place J.P. Crawford on 10-day IL, recall Leo Rivas as Brendan Donovan set to return Tuesday

The Seattle Mariners placed infield swingman J.P. Crawford on the 10-day injured list on Friday, a move prompted by a hand injury that has limited him in recent games. According to the report, Crawford appeared to aggravate the problem during a swing last week, and even after a few days away from action, the issue persisted when he tried to return carefully. Crawford’s IL stint changes the Mariners’ day-to-day infield alignment as the team looks to keep its regular production from the corner and middle infield moving through the near-term schedule. With Crawford out, Seattle also had to reshuffle bench and spot-start responsibilities, particularly for roles that can shift between third base and shortstop depending on who is available. In the corresponding move, the Mariners recalled infielder Leo Rivas. The report described Rivas’ recent path as one that has included time with Triple-A Tacoma, along with a first half that was not as strong as he had shown late in 2025. Rivas’ return to the major league roster gives Seattle a live option for infield depth, including the ability to cover multiple positions if the Mariners need flexibility during the homestand. The other piece of the roster picture involves Brendan Donovan, who is expected to come to Seattle on Tuesday. The report framed Donovan’s arrival as part of the team’s injury-round management, suggesting the Mariners plan to stabilize their infield options while Crawford remains sidelined. For Mariners fans, the practical impact is straightforward: Crawford’s absence creates immediate uncertainty for late-inning matchups and routine lineup construction, especially if Seattle has been relying on his versatility and defensive alignment. The hand injury also raises a common but important question in baseball: even when a player resumes activity, hand issues can linger, affecting timing, contact quality, and the ability to handle throws cleanly. Over the next week, the Mariners’ choices around Rivas’ usage and how Donovan is integrated will be the key storyline. Whether Rivas gets steady reps at one primary spot, or instead serves as a rotating depth option, will reveal how Seattle plans to bridge the gap until Crawford is eligible to return. The team’s next moves will also be worth watching for any follow-on procedural updates tied to Crawford’s hand and the timing of his recovery from the IL.