Mariners' Donovan Navigating 'Growing Pains' at Third Base

Brendan Donovan is working to improve his defense at the hot corner after being traded to Seattle.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:22am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball player in motion, their body and the baseball field fragmented into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, capturing the complexity of fielding a ground ball at third base.Donovan's defensive struggles at third base expose the challenges of transitioning to a new position in the major leagues.Seattle Today

Brendan Donovan, the Seattle Mariners' new third baseman, is struggling with the transition to his new position after being traded from the St. Louis Cardinals. Despite extensive preparation and extra work, Donovan has had some tough plays and is frustrated with his defensive performance so far this season. However, he remains confident that continued preparation and game experience will help him improve and contribute to the team.

Why it matters

The Mariners are counting on Donovan to solidify their infield defense, and his struggles at third base could impact the team's overall performance. Donovan's ability to adapt to the new position will be crucial as the Mariners look to bounce back from a tough start to the season.

The details

Donovan, who had played just 36 games at third base in the majors prior to the trade, has taken extensive drills and extra work to prepare for the position. However, the ball has found him frequently in the early going, leading to some tough plays and errors. Donovan acknowledged his frustration with the 'growing pains' he's experiencing, but remains committed to putting in the work to improve.

  • The Mariners' season began in early April 2026.
  • Donovan's struggles at third base have occurred in the first few games of the season.

The players

Brendan Donovan

The Seattle Mariners' new third baseman, who was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals in the offseason. Donovan is working to adapt to the position after limited experience there at the major league level.

Perry Hill

The Seattle Mariners' infield coach, who has been working closely with Donovan to help him improve at third base.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's not something you can run from. It's kind of one of those things (where) you have just got to keep preparing (while) understanding I am not playing to the standard that I set for myself defensively and that I have done the last few years. So that's frustrating, but my biggest thing is I just want to help the team, and I don't feel I am doing a very good job with that over there and I will continue to prepare.”

— Brendan Donovan, Seattle Mariners Third Baseman

What’s next

Donovan plans to continue working extensively with the Mariners' coaching staff, including extra drills and live-action practice, to improve his defense at third base and help the team turn things around after a tough start to the season.

The takeaway

Brendan Donovan's struggles at third base highlight the challenges of transitioning to a new position at the major league level, even for a talented player. The Mariners are counting on Donovan to solidify their infield defense, and his ability to adapt and improve will be crucial as the team looks to bounce back from a difficult start to the season.