SEATTLE -- The hits just will not stop coming for the Mariners.
Even after returning Cal Raleigh and J.P. Crawford from the IL one day earlier, Seattle absorbed another potential injury on Wednesday -- and maybe their biggest yet -- as Julio Rodríguez was forced to exit to begin the seventh inning of the second game of its series against Baltimore with a hamstring spasm, which first surfaced on the running catch he made earlier in the game. It’s a day-to-day situation.
The three-time All-Star selection was seen conferring with head athletic trainer Kyle Torgerson in the dugout before grabbing his bats and glove and receding to the home clubhouse. Yet, this appeared to be a continuation of a discussion between the two from earlier in the game.
Rodríguez was replaced in the lineup by Rob Refsnyder, who took over in right field, as Victor Robles shifted from right to center. And the Mariners were already using a fill-in in left field, as Connor Joe was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma earlier Wednesday to take that spot for Randy Arozarena, who was placed on the 10-day IL with a left hamstring strain just one hour before first pitch on Tuesday.
The Mariners were also without corner outfielder Luke Raley (lower back tightness) and first baseman Josh Naylor (right wrist soreness), as each were nursing recent injuries sustained.