BALTIMORE -- Colt Emerson, it appears, will avoid the injured list.
The Mariners’ uber-talented infielder was out of the Mariners’ lineup for the third straight day on Wednesday, but he did take swings in the cage for the first time since suffering a back spasm when throwing to first base during ground-ball drills two days prior.
Emerson, ranked as the Mariners' No. 1 prospect per MLB Pipeline, had also intended to go through similar infield drills before rain in Baltimore canceled pregame work before their third game vs. the Orioles.
Mariners manager Dan Wilson said that Emerson could be available off the bench, and the 20-year-old infielder was optimistic that he could return to the starting lineup for Thursday’s series finale against the Orioles.
“We'll call it day to day still, but we're getting very close,” Wilson said.
As for the back spasm itself, it was similar to one that forced him to miss three games at Triple-A Tacoma earlier this season.
“I felt it grab, and I had felt that before,” Emerson said. “So I knew immediately it was back spasm. ... When it happened, it was one of those things where your back locks up and you can't really twist and turn. So you're more being detrimental to the team than you are yourself at that point. So yeah, we're working back.”
He also said that the Mariners’ athletic training staff called it “super minor” and that “it’s normally three days and back to normal.”
“It sucks,” Emerson added. “We've had some really good games the last two days, so it sucks not being a part of it. But I've been in the clubhouse, being a good teammate, supporting the guys.”
Despite just over three weeks in The Show, Emerson has been one of the Mariners’ most consistent hitters while emerging as a legitimate five-tool player. He’s certainly shown why the club views him as a face of its future and with the $95 million contract to go with it.
Through his first 19 games, Emerson has slashed .242/.319/.548 (.867 OPS) with a 30.4% K rate and 7.2% walk rate over 69 plate appearances. And 10 of Emerson’s 15 hits have been for extra bases, including four homers, one triple and five doubles.
“I feel pretty good,” Emerson said. “Just one more day of just playing it safe, and then hopefully get in there tomorrow.”
With J.P. Crawford also sidelined -- on the 10-day IL with a right hand contusion -- Emerson is expected to slot at shortstop until the veteran returns. But he’s primarily played third base when Crawford has been healthy.