Mariners welcome back Brendan Donovan into lineup after injury

CHICAGO - Brendan Donovan knows there will be a day when he makes a random movement he's made thousands of times that won't trigger unexpected pain.

But for now, the Mariners leadoff hitter will just have to deal with the residual effects of his offseason surgery to repair a sports hernia.

On Friday, the Mariners reinstated Donovan from the injured list and optioned catcher Jhonny Pereda to Triple-A Tacoma.

Donovan was inserted back into the lineup at third base and at the leadoff spot in the batting order.

Great to have him back and ready to go," manager Dan Wilson said pregame. "Seeing him at the top of the lineup, exciting to get that back in play.

Donovan was supposed to play in two rehab games with Double-A Arkansas - the first one at designated hitter and the second game at third base. However, rain on Wednesday in Little Rock forced the game to be postponed and Donovan never got that opportunity.

"I was able to run the bases," he said. "I was hoping to play (in the) field but the weather got kind of nasty in Arkansas. But for me, it's just getting out there, just playing in a game, competing, getting in positions that are kind of hard to mimic in practice. I felt good and my leg felt good, and I was able to compete.

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This story will be updated.

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