Injuries & Moves: Kelenic exits; Murphy scratched
Keep track of the Mariners’ transactions and injury updates throughout Spring Training.
LATEST NEWS
March 20: LF Jarred Kelenic (quad tightness) exits early
The Mariners' top Spring Training performer so far was pulled in the bottom of the third inning in the club's 7-2 win over Milwaukee with what Mariners manager Scott Servais described as quad tightness. The decision was precautionary, and Servais anticipates that Kelenic will be back sooner rather than later. Kelenic struck out in his only at-bat during the first inning. He's 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 20: C Tom Murphy (left forearm) a late scratch
Seattle's backup catcher was pulled from the starting lineup ahead of their matinee against the Brewers with soreness in his left forearm, Mariners manager Scott Servais said. He was replaced by Brian O'Keefe. Murphy, who missed nearly all of last season due to left shoulder surgery, is having a productive camp, slashing .281/.324/.563 (.887 OPS) in 32 at-bats.
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
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)
RHP Andrés Muñoz (right foot surgery)
Expected return: March 17
Seattle's highest-leverage reliever faced hitters from an opposing team for the first time on March 16 when pitching one inning during a "B" game against the Padres on the Peoria Sports Complex backfields. The next step would be to pitch in a Cactus League game. All said, Muñoz is on track to be at full strength by Opening Day, if he isn't already. (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)