Game Summary: Mariners Fall to Tigers
The Seattle Mariners faced a tough loss against the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday night, August 8, 2023. The final score was 4-2, dropping the Mariners’ season record to 59-54. The Tigers, who had a rookie pitcher with an ERA over five, improved their record to 54-60. This loss puts Seattle just 0.5 games ahead of the Houston Astros for first place in the American League West.
Injury Incident: Justin Turner Hit by Pitch
During the seventh inning of the game, Justin Turner was hit by a pitch in the hand/wrist area. This incident brought back memories of J.P. Crawford’s injury in July when he broke his pinky after being hit by a pitch. Turner was removed from the game and replaced by Cade Marlowe in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Mariners are already dealing with an unstable lineup due to injuries to key players like Julio Rodriguez and J.P. Crawford.
Injury Update: Positive News for Justin Turner
X-rays for Justin Turner came back negative, revealing no broken bones. Turner has a contusion on his left hand and is considered day-to-day. Manager Scott Servais mentioned that Turner’s availability for the next game will be determined upon arrival at the ballpark. This is a relief for the Mariners, who acquired Turner for his ability to deliver clutch at-bats.
Julio Rodríguez’s Injury Status
Julio Rodríguez, the center fielder for the Mariners, took on-field batting practice at T-Mobile Park before Tuesday’s series opener against the Tigers. Manager Scott Servais stated that Rodríguez’s return from a high-ankle sprain remains unclear. Rodríguez has been on the injured list for two weeks after spraining his right ankle on July 21 while attempting to catch a fly ball and crashing into the outfield wall. Servais mentioned that Rodríguez is improving but still does not have a timetable for his return. He attempted more running recently to test his progress.
Potential Minor League Rehab Assignment for Rodríguez
The longer Rodríguez is out, the more likely he will need a minor league rehab assignment before returning to major league play. The Mariners have high-end pitching machines like Trajekt Arc to simulate game conditions during rehabilitation. General Manager Justin Hollander noted last Friday that Rodríguez had started running in a straight line, but making sharp cuts and sudden changes of direction remains challenging.
Dominic Canzone’s Rehab Progress
Outfielder Dominic Canzone began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma last Thursday and has performed well, going 7-for-14 with two home runs and a double in four games. Canzone is recovering from a right adductor strain suffered while making a diving catch on July 7. Servais is hopeful Canzone will return during the Mariners’ current nine-game homestand.
Matt Brash’s Injury Update
The Mariners received positive news regarding relief pitcher Matt Brash, who has been out for the season due to internal brace surgery. Brash has been cleared to start a throwing program next week in Arizona. He is currently with the team in Seattle during their nine-game homestand. Brash suffered a UCL tear and underwent surgery in early May after being injured during spring training. He is likely to be out into the next season as well.
Impact of Brash’s Absence
Brash’s absence has had a significant impact on the Mariners’ bullpen, which has struggled without him. Brash was one of the best relievers in baseball last year, appearing in a league-high 78 games with a record of 9-4 and an ERA of 3.06. He struck out 107 batters in just 70.2 innings last season with his high velocity (100+ MPH) and effective slider. The team has increased reliance on closer Andres Munoz, who made the All-Star team this season. Gregory Santos, expected to pair with Munoz and Brash at the back-end of the bullpen, has also been injured for most of the campaign.
Upcoming Game: Mariners vs. Tigers
The Mariners will face off against the Tigers again on Wednesday night, August 9, 2023, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. PT. This game is crucial for the Mariners as they aim to maintain their lead in the American League West.
Related Content and Updates
A new episode of the “Refuse to Lose” podcast discusses the recent series win over the Philadelphia Phillies and the potential contract extension for Victor Robles. The podcast also includes a breakdown of Jerry Dipoto’s comments on ‘The Wheelhouse’ podcast and a discussion with Ty Dane Gonzalez from “Locked on Mariners” and Teren Kowatsch.
Additional Articles Mentioned
– Top Seattle Mariners reliever receives positive injury update this week.
– Seattle Mariners outfielder returns from injury.
– Fans question manager Scott Servais after the latest loss.
– Manager talks about the impact and approach of new trade acquisitions.
Social Media Engagement
Follow Inside the Mariners coverage on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter (X), following Teren Kowatsch (@Teren_Kowatsch) and Brady Farkas (@wdevradiobrady). Subscribe to the “Refuse to Lose” podcast via the provided link.
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