The Seattle Mariners placed star outfielder Julio Rodriguez on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday due to a right high ankle sprain.
Shortstop J.P. Crawford (fractured right hand) also went on the IL as Seattle made a slew of moves prior to Tuesday night’s game against the visiting Los Angeles Angels.
Rodriguez was injured on Sunday when he crashed into the wall while attempting to make a catch during a victory over the Houston Astros. Rodriguez fell down on the warning track and immediately grabbed his ankle.
“Julio came in today from the doctor. (He’s) not really responding as quickly as he hoped,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “Don’t know how long it’s going to be. It could be a quick turnaround in 10, 11 days; it could be longer. We’ll see, we’ll know more here in the next few days there. (It’s) certainly very disappointing news. You lose two guys that are so critical and key to our team.”
Rodriguez, 23, is batting .263 with 11 homers, 37 RBIs and 18 steals through 100 games this season. The two-time All-Star and 2022 American League Rookie of the Year has 71 homers and 215 RBIs in 387 career games.
Crawford, 29, was hit by a pitch from Angels left-hander Tyler Anderson during the first inning of Monday’s game. He finished the frame and scored a run before leaving the contest.
“J.P. does have a hairline fracture in that right pinky. Any time it’s a fracture, it’s going to take some time to heal,” Servais said. “So he’s going to be out for some time, don’t have a timeline on that.”
Crawford is batting just .204 with nine homers and 32 RBIs through 77 games this season. It is a decline from last season, when he established career highs of 19 homers and 65 RBIs while batting .266.
Seattle also recalled first baseman Tyler Locklear, shortstop Leo Rivas and outfielders Cade Marlowe and Jonatan Clase from Triple-A Tacoma. Clase was sent to Tacoma following Monday night’s game before being recalled by Seattle on Tuesday due to the IL decisions on Rodriguez and Crawford.
The Mariners also designated first baseman Ty France for assignment. The 2022 All-Star was batting just .223 with eight homers and 31 RBIs in 88 games this season. France, 30, was acquired from the San Diego Padres at the 2020 trade deadline.
“Ty was a big part of our offense here for a number of years. … He was very productive, hitting the ball all over the field, one of the tougher guys in the league to strike out,” Servais said. “And over time, that hasn’t been the case. …
“I wish Ty the best. Good guy (who) worked hard when he was here. But it is a business, and we’ve got to find ways to improve our club.”
Locklear, 23, batted .200 with two homers and three RBIs in 11 games with the Mariners earlier this season. Rivas, 26, went 2-for-6 in six games with Seattle earlier this year.
Marlowe, 27, batted .239 with three homers and 11 RBIs in 34 games with the Mariners last season. He has 43 steals for Tacoma this season.
Clase, 22, is batting .195 with three RBIs across 19 games with Seattle this season.