Injuries & Moves: Kelenic, Murphy return
Keep track of the Mariners’ transactions and injury updates throughout Spring Training.
LATEST NEWS
March 23: LF Jarred Kelenic (left quad tightness) returns to lineup
The Mariners' top Spring Training performer was back in the starting lineup, batting fifth and playing left field, after experiencing his issue on Monday and being pulled in the third inning. Kelenic also missed Wednesday's game out of precaution. Kelenic was slashing .410/.439/.872 (1.311 OPS) in 39 at-bats this spring as he prepares for what could be a decisive season in Seattle.
March 23: C Tom Murphy (left forearm tightness) returns to lineup
Seattle's backup catcher returned after missing two games with his issue, serving as the starting catcher for Chris Flexen. Murphy, who missed nearly all of last season due to left shoulder surgery, is having a productive camp, entering the night with a .281/.324/.563 (.887 OPS) slash line in 32 at-bats.
March 23: C Jacob Nottingham and INF Jake Scheiner reassigned to Minor League camp; OF Leonys Martin released
Nottingham and Scheiner being sent down were anticipated moves as the Mariners continue trimming their roster down to 26 before Opening Day. They'll both serve as depth pieces, probably at Triple-A Tacoma, when the regular season begins. Martin signed a Minor League deal last February and was a long shot to be a contributor. Martin spent last season playing in the Japan Pacific League.
March 20: C Harry Ford and RHP Bryce Miller among prospects reassigned to Minor League camp
The Mariners' No. 1 and No. 2 prospects, respectively, were sent to the Minors, but in Miller's case, it's only a matter of time before he's in Seattle. The righty surrendered just two runs on seven hits and three walks in nine innings across three outings -- all while catching the attention of the front office and Mariners manager Scott Servais, who's repeatedly reiterated that he views Miller as a starter.
Ford is probably another year away from being on the big league doorstep, but he also made a major impression in camp -- and with an epic showing for Team Great Britain in the World Baseball Classic. Ford went 2-for-4 with three walks in Cactus League play, but regularly caught bullpen sessions, attended catchers meetings and was a sponge among his elder peers.
Other players to be reassigned included righties JB Bukauskas and Jose Rodriguez and infielders Leo Rivas and Kean Wong.
INJURY UPDATES
INF Tommy La Stella (right shoulder soreness)
Expected return: March 23
La Stella has regularly been playing in Cactus League games, but at DH. He's expected to play first base when the Mariners visit the Reds for a night game on March 23, though his value to the club in the regular season will be to play second and third. He's in camp on a Minors contract. (Last updated: March 22)
UTIL Dylan Moore (core surgery)
Expected return: Two to four weeks, then Minors rehab assignment
Moore, who signed a three-year, $8.875 million contract extension in February, will begin the regular season on the injured list after an MRI he underwent on March 16 revealed a Grade 1 left oblique strain. Mariners athletic trainers estimated a recovery time of at least two to four weeks before he can begin baseball activity, and because he was being slow-played in Spring Training after core surgery in December, he'll need a Minor League rehab assignment upon returning.
Moore is in line for a backup infield role, spelling shortstop J.P. Crawford on some days and serving in a platoon with second baseman Kolten Wong on others. (Last updated: March 17)
LF Taylor Trammell (broken hamate in right hand)
Expected return: April
Trammell is progressing well in his recovery from the hand injury he suffered in February when he was hit by a pitch during a workout before Spring Training, according to manager Scott Servais.
"He's probably three weeks away, something like that, from a bat in his hand," Servais said. "But he's focused right now on gaining strength back in that wrist and the hand. And then he'll build up from there."
The injury was a blow for the Mariners at a position they intended to rotate between righty-hitting veteran AJ Pollock and either the lefty-swinging Trammell or Jarred Kelenic. It's an even bigger blow for Trammell, who spent most of the offseason reworking his swing at Driveline, which drew rave reviews from Servais and general manager Jerry Dipoto -- specifically for attacking his significant whiff tendencies. (Last updated: March 11)