Seattle, WA
Donovan Solano's resurgence helps Seattle Mariners in 2 ways
This is the version of Donovan Solano the Seattle Mariners were patiently waiting for.
The first baseman had another big day at the plate for the M’s in their 14-6 win over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. Solano hit a pair of home runs – just his fourth multi-homer game in 960 career games – and drove in five runs in a three-hit day at Wrigley Field.
Highlights: Seattle Mariners slug five HRs in series-clinching win vs Cubs
The performance wrapped a scorching series for the once-struggling veteran. Solano went 9 for 14 during the three-game set, collecting three hits in each game while driving in eight runs, which was twice as many as he had all season before Friday.
After Sunday’s game, manager Dan Wilson had a fitting answer about the player nicknamed “Donnie Barrels.”
“He is really swinging, and we talked about it before the game, about finding barrels,” Wilson told reporters, “And today (he) found a ton more barrels and was using the whole park.”
The big series in Chicago was the culmination of a turnaround that Solano has been over the past month.
The 37 year old looked as if he might be nearing the end of what would have been an abbreviated stint with the Mariners in late May.
Entering a May 24 game in Houston, Solano was batting a meager .138 with a .331 OPS and just two extra-base hits in 68 plate appearances. He was among the worst hitters in baseball at the time, posting a minus-8 wRC+ that ranked third-to-last among hitters with at least 60 plate appearances.
Solano went on to have a pair singles and a walk in a 2-1 loss that day to the Astros. It was an otherwise forgettable game for the Mariners, but it marked the start of Solano’s climb out of career-worst start. He’s batting .450 (18 for 40) with a 1.200 OPS, three home runs and 12 RBIs in 14 games since that day in Houston.
How resurgence could change M’s outlook
Solano’s resurgence at the plate has been a positive development for both him and the Mariners. For the M’s in particular, it could help with more than just the results on the field.
First base has been long thought to be the most glaring need for the Mariners to address via trade for a playoff push. The platoon of Solano and Rowdy Tellez (who was designated for assignment Friday) ranked among the league’s least productive, but a platoon of the version of Solano the Mariners thought they were getting and the returning Luke Raley all of the sudden makes first a much less desperate need.
More: Why Rowdy’s DFA made the most sense for Seattle Mariners
First base still could be the first place the M’s try to improve, but it doesn’t have to be if Solano is producing. They can shift their focus elsewhere if performance or the trade market dictate it.
The Mariners could focus more on finding offensive punch at third base, where rookie Ben Williamson (.249 average, .593 OPS) has impressed defensively but lacks the slugging abilities traditionally associated with the position.
They could make a stronger push for a second baseman if rookie Cole Young (.236 average, .562 OPS in 17 games), MLB Pipeline’s No. 38 overall prospect, doesn’t do enough over the next few weeks to warrant the role for a playoff push.
They could make impact bullpen arms a higher priority.
They could even be more aggressive in the market for a right fielder since Solano’s career numbers indicate he hits right-handers and left-handers equally well, and Raley could get at-bats in a time split between first base and the outfield.
There’s still another 33 games before the trade deadline that could greatly change all of this, but Solano’s resurgence has a chance to make a real impact on the Mariners’ trade deadline decisions.
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Seattle, WA
Outreach groups respond to the reported relocation cycle of Ballard’s homeless population
SEATTLE — As people voice concerns about an encampment in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, outreach groups are detailing their efforts and fighting back against encampment removals.
The outreach group We Heart Seattle said it checks on the people in an encampment of at least 20 people weekly to offer water, snacks, personal hygiene items, and access to treatment.
RELATED | Ballard encampment grows after city removes nearby site along Burke-Gilman Trail
The group told KOMO it believes more can be done at the city level, from policy to housing, to get the homeless connected with shelter and services.
A woman working at the Fred Meyer off NW 45th Street and 9th Avenue captured video of a fire near tents at an encampment across the street. A day later, off camera, she told KOMO News she worries about the safety of the people living in the tents and Ballard neighbors, in addition to concerns about alleged open-air drug use at the encampment.
“We became homeless because of certain situations, and we turned to drugs, and unfortunately, addiction comes next, you know?” Crystal Rawlings told KOMO News. She has set up her tent on multiple streets in Ballard, and said she’s approaching one year of being opioid-free.
She believes there’s been more city outreach since the start of the new mayoral administration to connect people living on the streets with services, but knows there’s not enough transitional housing for everyone who needs or wants it.
She and the Ballard Community Task Force on Homelessness and Hunger urge the city to stop encampment removals that push this group to another block.
RELATED | City removes Ballard encampment as neighboring businesses raise housing concerns
“We’re not abominations. We’re not obstructions, and we’re not trash, so stop sweeping us,” Rawlings stated.
The city is still aiming to reach Mayor Katie Wilson’s goal of adding 1,000 new units of shelter in 2026 and recently opened a tiny home village in nearby Interbay, but fell short of the goal of 500 new units by June.
Andrea Suarez with We Heart Seattle estimates at least 20 people living on the street keep getting moved around Ballard, from behind the Albert Lee store to Leary Avenue to NW 45th Street behind the Fred Meyer.
“This encampment has people that’ve been homeless for more than five years. We know their names and faces. They’re still here. They’re still stuck in late-phase addiction, frankly because it’s permitted,” Suarez explained.
RELATED | Viral makeshift homeless shelter with chimney dismantled by Seattle city crews
She believes a camping ban on city sidewalks would help encourage more people to accept shelter, and help stop the cycle of moving people without
“It is an underserved community. I think it is unfair,” Suarez added. “We’ve tried to balance between enablement and really giving people a hand up, but without the teeth and backup for the work of outreach workers, it starts to feel futile, and that’s why we get burned out.”
The mayor’s office was working to send data about its homeless response in Ballard as of Wednesday afternoon.
The Ballard Community Task Force on Homelessness and Hunger estimates there have been nine Ballard-area encampment removals so far this year.
SEATTLE – Wednesday will be another warm day with highs in the mid to upper 80s for parts of western Washington. Eastern and central Washington will reach near 100F with high fire danger. The coast and north interior will be cooler, only in the 60s to 70s.
Wednesday will be another warm day with highs in the mid to upper 80s for parts of western Washington.
Fire Weather Watch
A Fire Weather Watch goes into effect Wednesday evening through Thursday evening for thunderstorms and gusty winds. Lightning strikes could create new fire starts and, with very dry conditions in place, any new fire could spread quickly.
A Fire Weather Watch goes into effect Wednesday evening through Thursday evening for thunderstorms and gusty winds.
What’s next:
An upper level low will move into the Pacific Northwest, bringing scattered showers and a chance of thunderstorms. The heaviest showers will be in the morning hours and will turn more scattered into the evening hours.
An upper level low will move into the Pacific Northwest, bringing scattered showers and chance of thunderstorms.
Looking Ahead:
High pressure will build again Friday and into the weekend, increasing temperatures and sunshine. We will start to see highs reach the upper 80s to low 90s by early next week.
High pressure will build again Friday and into the weekend, increasing temperatures and sunshine.
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After so many disappointing seasons with the interior offensive line, the Seattle Seahawks made a commitment last offseason to improve the unit. They started one big step at a time by drafting North Dakota State guard Grey Zabel in the first round, 18th overall pick, of the 2025 NFL Draft. This one was one of the last steps for the Seahawks to create one of the most productive offenses in the NFL.
Zabel wasn’t perfect in his rookie season, but he was good enough to validate the decision to draft him in the first round, and he showed improvement. Zabel is already a favorite among some Seahawks fans and some media outlets as they love his determination and spirit. It was a big jump from the FCS collegiate level to the NFL and this season, he has a chance to show why he might be a top-half-of-the-league guard.
Why Zabel Could Be Ranked Higher?
The Seahawks wanted a determined workhorse when looking for a guard. That’s exactly what they got in Zabel. Last season, he appeared in 1,051 snaps, which is only 10 fewer snaps than right tackle Abraham Lucas, who had the most offensive snaps. Zabel got better as the season progressed. Pro Football Focus gave him an overall grade of 81.5 and a run-block grade of 81.2 in Week 14 through the NFC Championship Game.
There were times last season when he looked like a monster against several defenders. He was pushing some defenders completely out of the way on pulling plays and even ran to defenders after the pass-catcher caught the ball. This is the mentality the Seahawks expect him to have going into his second season in the league. He has more experience and the complete trust of the team to be a franchise player on par with Lucas and left tackle Charles Cross. If he continues to improve, he will be another steal for the Seahawks.
Why Zabel Could Be Ranked Lower?
There were times last season when he didn’t quite catch up to the learning curve of the NFL. Zabel allowed two sacks, four hits and 24 pressures in 2025. The Seahawks expect those numbers to decrease significantly as he is experienced and capable of playing at an efficient level. While Zabel is impressive, he might not be the best player the Seahawks have selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. That honor belongs to slot cornerback Nick Emmanwori, who is stepping up to be the steal of the draft.
Zabel is easily one of the best second-year players and is one of the top offensive linemen, but there are players behind him because they haven’t proven to be consistently explosive for the Seahawks. There is going to be even more pressure on him this upcoming season. The Seahawks hired a more run-friendly coach in Brian Fleury as offensive coordinator. His ranking at the end of the season might be much better if he improves, or worse if he fails to reach expectations.
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