Mariners injury updates: J.P. Crawford lands on IL, Brendan Donovan ‘clear’ to rejoin team

As much as he wanted to try and play through the discomfort in his left wrist and find ways to help a team that is reeling, J.P. Crawford was placed on the 10-day injured list before Friday’s homestand opener vs. the Twins.

Utility infielder Leo Rivas was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma and added to the active roster.

“He’s going to get an injection in his wrist,” general manager Justin Hollander said. “I would anticipate he’s a couple weeks down. I don’t think it’s going to be a month or anything like that.”

Crawford won’t do any baseball-related activity for three to five days and then start building back up. He injured the wrist while swinging.

Weston Wilson got the start at third base in Crawford’s place.

But it’s likely that Brendan Donovan will be filling Crawford’s spot in the following series vs. the Tigers, which starts Tuesday.

“Brendan Donovan is all clear to rejoin the team,” Hollander said. “He’s dealing with some personal family stuff, so I would anticipate him being back and active hopefully on Tuesday. But he’s through with his rehab. He feels good and ready to go. So once he’s free and clear on his family stuff, he will join us.”

While Hollander wouldn’t get into specifics, manager Dan Wilson mentioned on the road trip that Donovan’s wife, Aly, was expecting to deliver the couple’s second child at any moment.

Luke Raley was also out of the lineup for Friday’s game despite right-hander Zebby Matthews starting for the Twins.

Wilson said that Raley had some elbow soreness and the team decided to go with Victor Robles.

Raley has been dealing with a strained flexor tendon in his left forearm, causing pain in the elbow at times. He missed three games with the issue in early July and has tried to play through it while wearing a tight compression sleeve on the injured area.

Right-handed pitchers Carlos Vargas (lat strain) and Logan Evans (Tommy John surgery) were at T-Mobile Park on Friday checking in with the Mariners’ medical team.

Vargas is finally nearing a return after getting injured coming out of spring training.

“He’s doing great,” Hollander said. “He throws a bullpen tomorrow. If that goes well, the next step is either another bullpen, a live BP or even potentially a rehab outing. So we’re looking at something like an August 15th return.”

Matt Brash (lat strain) was scheduled to throw off the front slope of the mound for a session and would progress to a bullpen a week later.

“He’s about a week behind Vargas for his return,” Hollander said.

Infielder Ryan Bliss left Thursday’s game with the Rainiers after tweaking his knee while running the bases. He was meeting with doctors Friday to assess any issues.

Also, Rainiers outfielder Brennan Davis is still recovering from a severe hamstring strain and isn’t close to returning.

“He’s really having to take it slow with this significant hamstring issue that he’s had,” Hollander said. “So he’s still just doing sort of light exercise with the hamstring. He’s still a ways away.”

This story will be updated