Mariners hoping Julio (concussion) will rejoin team after All-Star break

ST. PETERSBURG -- When the Mariners come out of the All-Star break on Friday, it seems likely that they will have Julio Rodríguez in the lineup for that night’s game against the Giants at T-Mobile Park.

Manager Dan Wilson said prior to the team’s first-half finale against the Rays at Tropicana Field that “all signs are pointing to” Rodríguez returning to action in time for Seattle’s first game after the break.

The face of the Mariners’ franchise has been on the concussion injured list since July 3, one day after he was hit in the back of his helmet by a throw to second base. Rodríguez has been doing baseball activities back in Seattle, and Wilson said Sunday that J-Rod has been able to increase his activity as his concussion symptoms have lessened.

“I think things have been progressing the way we hoped,” Wilson added.

Seattle could use Rodríguez’s presence in the worst way, as it entered Sunday riding a five-game losing streak thanks in large part to an offense that has scored 12 runs and gone 0-for-27 with runners in scoring position during that span.

Entering Sunday, the Mariners have dropped six of their eight games with Rodríguez on the IL and are carrying a team slash line of .203/.276/.340 without their star.

Rodríguez is batting .259 with 14 homers, 12 stolen bases and a .747 OPS through 87 games this season.