Seattle Mariners are starting to get healthy
For the last several weeks, the Seattle Mariners were beset with injuries. Players are starting to come back but is it too late?
The Seattle Mariners may not be winning many games this season, but they are among the league leaders when it comes to the number of injuries. It’s one of the reasons why the team was so awful last week. Those days are slowly coming to an end.
Already back
It was like adding gas to a fire when the Mariners announced they put four relief pitchers Will Vest, Drew Steckenrider, Robert Dugger, and Anthony Misiewicz, on the COVID-19 list. To replace them, the M’s called up three replacements from Tacoma, Wyatt Mills, Yohan Ramirez, and Aaron Fletcher. All three replacements looked overmatched against San Diego.
Two days later, Dugger and Misiewicz tested negative, and the team reinstated them. Although neither of them looked sharp against the Padres either, both are important parts of the pitching staff. After getting ruffed up in SoCal, Misiewicz was impressive in two appearances against Oakland.
Ty France is one of the Mariners’ better hitters. Or he was until April 19. That’s the day when a Dustin May fastball hit France on the wrist. The righty utility player struggled over the next month, he went 11-for-70 (.157) before going on the injured list on May 14.
The rest and rehabilitation did him good. In the four games since his May 24 return, France is hitting .400 with a .904 OPS. The good news doesn’t end there.
Coming soon
Before heading to the injured list on April 29, Marco Gonzales wasn’t the ace pitcher Seattle Mariners fans were used to seeing. Due to a forearm strain, his velocity was down while his ERA and WHIP went up. Word is Gonzalez is ready to take his spot at the top of the rotation again. He’ll make his return June 1, against Oakland at T-Mobile Park.
Last year Jake Fraley‘s return would be a total non-story. The Seattle Mariners need him back with all their injuries, especially for his outfield defense. Fraley has torn it up during his rehab assignments and should be activated during this homestand. His return gives Mitch Haniger more opportunities to DH, which cuts down on his wear and tear.
Here’s a blast from the recent past. Shed Long Jr., out since last September with a shin injury, is preparing for game action. He will begin a rehabilitation assignment at Tacoma next week.
Outlook
Even with winning three-of-their last four games, the Seattle Mariners are 3-7 in their last 10. The good news is twofold. First, after their recent tailspin, the M’s are only five-and-a-half games out of both first place and an American League Wild Card spot, so they aren’t out of contention. Second, when healthy, Seattle proved they can stay with good teams. As players return from injury, they should make some noise in the standings.
Related Story: Mariners Mock Draft Compilation 1.0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zq8-xd0-YA
There is no time frame for returns yet on Evan White, Dylan Moore, Sam Haggerty, Kendall Graveman, Vest, and Steckenrider.