Julio Rodriguez Exits Game Due to Quad Tightness
Julio Rodriguez left the game for the Seattle Mariners on Saturday due to quad tightness. Mariners manager Scott Servais confirmed that Rodriguez experienced tightness in his lower-quadriceps area. Rodriguez noticed discomfort during sprints on Saturday morning but tried to play through it. After the first half of the first inning, he reported that it “didn’t feel right.” Rodriguez received MRIs on Saturday night after Seattle’s 5-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays to determine the severity of the injury. The results are still pending.
Game Context and Substitution Details
The incident occurred during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Rodriguez was listed to start in the four-hole in the lineup and was playing center field in the top half of the first inning. Ty France pinch-hit for Rodriguez and went to first base. Luke Raley, originally at first base, moved to center field. Rodriguez’s season stats include a batting average of .247, eight home runs, 30 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases. He has played the most games on the Mariners this season, with a total of 90 games, including Saturday’s half-inning.
Luke Raley’s Performance
Luke Raley has made significant contributions in this series against Toronto. He accounted for both of Seattle’s runs with a double in a previous game, leading to a 2-1 win over the Blue Jays on Friday. Raley’s performance has been crucial, especially with Rodriguez’s injury.
New Outfielder for Seattle Mariners
The Mariners have added Duke Ellis, a speedy outfielder, on a waiver claim from the New York Mets. Ellis, 26, will fill an open spot on Seattle’s 40-man roster and report to Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. Originally a 20th-round selection in the 2017 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres, Ellis did not sign and instead transferred from Panola College in Texas to the University of Texas. He joined the Chicago White Sox organization in 2020 as an undrafted free agent. Ellis made his MLB debut last month with the White Sox, appearing in eight games mostly as a pinch-runner. He is hitless in four big league at-bats but has successfully stolen four bases on four attempts. The Mets claimed Ellis off waivers on June 21 and designated him for assignment on June 30. In the minors this year, Ellis has a .254/.333/.299 slash line with one homer, three doubles, and 34 steals on 37 attempts across three teams.
Bryan Woo Set to Return
Right-hander Bryan Woo is expected to return soon after being placed on the injured list with a hamstring strain. Woo will go on a rehab assignment with High-A Everett AquaSox “in the coming days.” He last pitched on June 24, and one rehab outing may be sufficient before rejoining Seattle’s rotation. Woo has been stellar when healthy this season, with a record of 3-1, an ERA of 1.77, a WHIP of .689, 28 strikeouts, three walks, and one hit batter.
Gabe Speier Recovery Update
Left-hander Gabe Speier is recovering well from a rotator cuff strain and will throw live batting practice during the Mariners’ next road trip following their home series against Toronto. Speier has been out since late May. His ERA this season is 6.06, and his WHIP is 1.47. He had a rough May but performed well early in the year, with a first twelve appearances ERA of .84 and a WHIP of .66. In his breakout year (2023), he had an ERA of 3.79, a WHIP of 1.06, 17 holds, and one save.
Recent Game Highlights
Cal Raleigh homered twice, leading to an impressive win over the Los Angeles Angels with a score of 11-0. This victory was a significant boost for the Mariners, especially with the recent injuries to key players.
Trade Discussions
There have been discussions about potential trade targets from the Toronto Blue Jays, excluding Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. Play-by-play announcer Dan Shulman has been actively discussing these possibilities, which could significantly impact the Mariners’ lineup.
Mariners Insider Updates
George Kirby‘s evolving pitching strategy has been analyzed by Shannon Drayer. Kirby’s adjustments and improvements have been a topic of interest, especially as the Mariners look to strengthen their rotation.
Debate Over Trade Strategy
Brock and Salk have debated whether trading one of Seattle’s back-end starting pitchers could help acquire significant batting talent. This debate highlights the Mariners’ need to balance their pitching and batting strengths to improve their overall performance.
Injury Updates on Mitch Garver and Luke Raley
The Mariners lost 5-3 to the Minnesota Twins on Sunday afternoon at T-Mobile Park. This loss marked the first time since mid-April that the Mariners have lost back-to-back games at home. Injuries were sustained by two key players: catcher/DH Mitch Garver and OF/1B Luke Raley. Mitch Garver was hit by a pitch in the second inning, causing him to leave the game. As a result, Cal Raleigh had to move from DH to catcher, forcing the Mariners to use the pitcher’s spot in the lineup. Luke Raley fouled a ball off his foot in the ninth inning. Post-game updates provided by manager Scott Servais indicated that X-rays on Mitch Garver’s wrist were negative, and further assessment will be made after an off day. No specific update on Luke Raley was provided, but he was seen walking gingerly in the clubhouse after being hit on top of his left foot.
Upcoming Games and Homestand
The Seattle Mariners are starting a six-game homestand against the Chicago Cubs at T-Mobile Park. This homestand will be crucial for the Mariners as they look to bounce back from recent losses and injuries.
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