The Seattle Mariners got unfortunate news on starting center fielder Julio Rodriguez. Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports that Rodriguez will head to the 7-day concussion injured list.
As the corresponding move, utilityman Miles Mastrobuoni has been recalled from Triple-A Tacoma. To make room for Mastrobuoni, right-hander Cooper Criswell has been transferred to the 60-day injured list.
Julio Rodriguez Headed for 7-Day IL
The Mariners will be without their best player for the next week. Julio Rodriguez carries a season slash line of .259/.323/.424 with 14 home runs, 12 stolen bases, and a 115 wRC+. His 1.9 fWAR is second only to Randy Arozarena’s 2.4 among Seattle hitters.
This move comes a day after Rodriguez left their 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels. He got hit in the head on a throw to second while running the bases in the first inning. Mariners manager Dan Wilson told reporters, including Adam Jude of The Seattle Times, after the game that Rodriguez was in concussion protocol.
Wilson explained the reasoning for making this move.
“Giving him the extra time and precaution is the way to go at this point,” the Mariners manager told reporters, including Dusty Baker of King 5 Seattle (NBC).
By placing Rodriguez on the injured list, they lose him for the next seven days. But they also get to make a roster move to avoid playing short-handed while they wait for him to complete concussion protocol.
Miles Mastrobuoni returns to the club after being designated for assignment on June 19 and outrighted to Triple-A. He’s hit just .217 on the season, with a right calf strain sidelining him for the first two months of the season.
He should be eligible to return off the injured list when the Mariners start their series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on July 10.
However, they’ll have to make do in the outfield while he’s out.
Replacing Julio Rodriguez in the Lineup
With Julio Rodriguez out of the lineup for the next seven days, the question will be how they replace him. It will depend on the status of Victor Robles, who replaced Rodriguez in their win over the Angels.
Robles is in the starting lineup for the Mariners, batting eighth and playing center field.
This comes after an injury scare in that Angels game. He was hit in the right forearm with a pitch and exited the game. After the game, Dan Wilson told Jude that X-rays came back negative on Robles but in a lot of pain.
Robles being back in the lineup is good news for the Mariners, whose outfield depth had been tested of late due to injuries.
With Robles elevated to an everyday role, that means they’ll need some outfield coverage. Bringing up Miles Mastrobuoni gives them some corner outfield depth for the time being.
The Mariners are starting an outfield of Randy Arozarena, Victor Robles, and Luke Raley for the series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Their outfield depth is a bit thin if Robles were to go down. That happened in their win over the Angels, with Luke Raley finishing the game in center field. Seattle does not have a healthy center field option in Triple-A, with Brennen Davis on the 7-day injured list with Tacoma.
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