HOUSTON -- Colt Emerson was indeed removed from the Mariners’ active roster ahead of Friday’s huge series against the Astros at Daikin Park.
However, it was for a stint on the injured list and not being optioned to Triple-A Tacoma, as was initially the club’s plan. The rookie shortstop was placed on the 10-day shelf with left wrist tendon inflammation.
In a corresponding move, infielder Brock Rodden had his contract selected from Triple-A Tacoma. Ranked the Mariners’ No. 19 prospect by MLB Pipeline, Rodden will be making his MLB debut whenever he’s installed into a game.
It’s unclear how or when Emerson sustained the injury.
The 21-year-old has been in a funk at the plate for two full months, with a slash line of .166/.212/.214 (.426 OPS) in 46 games since his big series in Washington from June 12-14, when he crushed a pair of homers and drove in four RBIs.
Up to that point, he was hitting .237/.310/.566 (.876 OPS) with six homers and was a little under one month removed from making his MLB debut, on May 17, to much fanfare.
That came six weeks after Emerson signed an eight-year, $95 million contract, which was the richest ever signed by a player who had yet to reach the Majors.
Rodden, 26, is the prototypical utility infielder that the Mariners’ front office values -- and he switch-hits.
He’s played 24 games at second base, 35 games at shortstop and 30 games at third base with the Rainiers, carrying a slash line of .262/.342/.499 (.841 OPS) in 410 plate appearances. He was Seattle’s fifth-round pick in that loaded Draft class of 2023, which was headlined by Emerson as its first-rounder.