SEATTLE -- In the midst of maybe his best day of the season, Dominic Canzone was forced to exit early during the Mariners’ 3-1 win against the Red Sox on Sunday.
Canzone grabbed the back of his right leg immediately after crossing first base on an RBI groundout in the sixth inning and then went straight to the home clubhouse at T-Mobile Park, after a brief conferral with Mariners head athletic trainer Kyle Torgerson in the dugout.
The severity of the issue wasn’t immediately clear, but it was nonetheless a concerning development for the banged-up Mariners, who’ve absorbed a litany of injuries over the past two weeks.
It was also a brutal break for Canzone, who earlier Sunday crushed a solo homer that put Seattle on the board in the second inning -- his 12th of the season and first against a lefty.
He also ignited an inning-ending double play in the top of the sixth when making a full-extension, diving catch while running in, then doubling-up the runner on second base (Nate Eaton), who presumably thought the ball would drop and allow him to score.
It was the type of all-around day that played into the argument that Canzone -- a platoon corner outfielder and designated hitter -- might warrant more everyday playing time.
For the season, Canzone is slashing .281/.353/.562 (.915 OPS) with 12 doubles, one triple, 33 RBIs, 39 strikeouts and 18 walks in 201 plate appearances.
Canzone was replaced in right field by Luke Raley, who just returned the day prior for his first at-bat since last Sunday, sidelined since with lower back soreness and then the flu.
The Mariners are already without starting left fielder Randy Arozarena, who suffered a left hamstring strain on a similar play to Canzone’s last weekend in Washington, when attempting to leg out an infield single. Arozarena has been sidelined the past eight games but is expected to return during Seattle’s upcoming series in Pittsburgh that begins Tuesday, when he’s first eligible to be activated.