Donovan

Solano

Solano, 37, has his first homer in a game while wearing a Mariner uniform. The veteran infielder hit third during Saturday’s game, and it’s possible he’ll hit there against left-handers to open the season. It’s something to keep in mind, as Solano is an underrated DFS option against southpaws.

Solano’s arrival was delayed by visa issues at the outset of camp, but he wound up only missing a couple days of full-squad workouts. The 37-year-old veteran should make his spring debut at some point next week, if not sooner.

The deal, which also includes $1 million in performance incentives, is official. Solano provides Seattle with some additional bench depth heading into next season after batting .286/.343/.417 with eight home runs and two steals in 309 plate appearances last year with the Padres. The 37-year-old veteran journeyman has spent time with four different organizations in the big leagues dating back to 2019. He can be safely ignored for fantasy purposes but represents a quality depth addition for the Mariners behind incumbent infield options Dylan Moore, Luke Raley and Ryan Bliss.

The one real lineup decision the Padres have to make comes against righties, when they choose between Donovan Solano and David Peralta for one spot. They opted for Solano against the righty in Game 1, and there was no doubt Solano would be in there versus the lefty today. The lineup: DH Luis Arraez, RF Fernando Tatis Jr., LF Jurickson Profar, 3B Manny Machado, CF Jackson Merrill, SS Xander Bogaerts, 1B Solano, 2B Jake Cronenworth, C Kyle Higashioka.

All five runs scored in the top of the ninth, with Solano hitting the Padres’ third homer of the inning. It’s his third four-hit game of the year. He’s doing his usual thing with a .287/.344/.418 line in 308 plate appearances this season. This will be his sixth straight year of hitting at least .280 over 200+ plate appearances. Freddie Freeman, at .282 and unlikely to play Sunday, is the only other major leaguer who can say they’ve done the same. Teammate Xander Bogaerts lost his streak this year.

Solano is batting .298/.354/.420 in 268 plate appearances since joining the Padres on May 5. It will again be a crying shame when he somehow remains unsigned into March and is forced to take a minor league deal.

The 30-year-old infielder will get a breather with left-hander David Peterson toeing the slab for the Mets on Saturday night. Luis Arraez will cover first base for the Padres on Saturday while Donovan Solano functions as the club’s designated hitter and will bat fifth.

Solano has taken a seat against righties since Xander Bogaerts returned, but he’s still getting starts versus lefties and he picked up four RBI for the fourth time in this career tonight. He’s batting .314/.366/.427 in 202 plate appearances, and it remains ridiculous how unseriously he’s been taken as a free agent the last two offseasons.

Cronenworth will get a rare night off with left-hander Clayton Kershaw taking the mound for the Dodgers. Donovan Solano will start in his place at first base and will bat fifth for the Padres on Wednesday evening in San Diego.

He’ll take a seat against left-hander Chris Sale. Jake Cronenworth will play first base and Donovan Solano will serve as the DH as the Padres go with a righty-heavy lineup.