NEW YORK -- Despite sitting 0-for-8 in his Major League career when he strode to the plate in the fourth inning Sunday in Cleveland, it was not like Braden Bishop had gone hitless for years. But the 25-year-old center fielder had spent years getting to this point in his career, so yeah, it was special indeed when the former University of Washington standout lined his first base hit to center in Seattle's 10-0 win.

"It's something you dream about and have thought about a lot and have worked for," the Mariners rookie said prior to Monday's series opener at Yankee Stadium. "It's the most satisfying hit I've ever had and probably ever will have. It was special, for sure."

Bishop, called up Tuesday to replace the slumping Mallex Smith, wound up going 2-for-4 with a two-run single added to his now-growing collection of hits. He'll save the first-hit ball, sending it to his dad to keep with the rest of his baseball mementos at their family home in California.

Bishop will also savor the moment, as it brought home the realization of a three-year transformation he's undertaken with his offensive approach, changing his game from a slap-hitting defensive standout to a guy with legitimate Major League skills -- rated Seattle's No. 11 prospect by MLB Pipeline.

"I saw him in college," said Mariners manager Scott Servais, "and he's made as much improvement as any player I've seen in a long time."

After being drafted in the third round by the Mariners in 2015, Bishop looked around at other pro ballplayers and realized his offensive skills weren't likely to translate to long-term success. He watched fellow Husky Jake Lamb change his swing approach and take a leap in power after joining the D-backs organization. Bishop read books about hitting, including one by Ted Williams that opened his eyes.

"They didn't have analytics and stuff like that when he played, but somehow he knew the ball was coming down and he had to match it, so he was swinging up," Bishop said. "At that time, I did not have that in my swing. Basically it was big trial and error to develop a swing philosophy that was going to work.

"Being in the Minors at the time, I had the freedom to try things and experiment. Some good, some bad, a lot of interesting thoughts written in my book."

The "book" is a hitting diary Bishop keeps in his backpack and uses to make daily notes on his swing, both the mechanics and feel of where he's at with different approaches. When he struggles, he goes back and reviews what helped with similar issues. When others struggle, sometimes he'll pull out the book and share advice.

"When you're struggling, it's lonely," he said.

But Bishop hasn't let struggles slow him down, not with his baseball career or with his personal life. The "4MOM" tattoo on his left wrist is a constant reminder of the foundation he leads to raise awareness and funding for Alzheimer's research. That story and Bishop's positive approach with life and teammates have made him easy to root for and his first MLB hit resonated with many.

"The smile on his face, that's why we play," Servais said. "As much as you're grinding along, we're in the middle of a losing streak and all that other stuff, it puts things in perspective on how hard it is to get here. If you'd have told me a few years ago that Braden Bishop would have made the strides in his game he's made, I'd have said, 'Ehh, we'll wait and see.'

"But it's a testament to him and the hard work he's put in and his makeup and everything he's gone through. I couldn't be happier for any player to get their first hit. He's got many more to come."

Injury updates
• Third baseman Kyle Seager continues working out in Seattle as he progresses from the hand surgery that sidelined him since early in Spring Training. Servais said Seager will go out on a Minor League rehab stint soon, though he's not eligible to come off the 60-day injured list until May 25.

• Left-hander Wade LeBlanc, sidelined since April 14 with a strained right oblique, threw off the mound for a third time on Monday in Seattle and will progress to a live batting-practice session with Triple-A Tacoma later this week. If all goes well, the 34-year-old could then begin a Minor League rehab assignment next week with the Rainiers.