Mariners' Jonatan Clase: On taxi squad, promotion possible
Rotowire
Clase was with the Mariners in Baltimore on Sunday as part of the taxi squad and is likely to remain with the team as it starts a four-game series with the Yankees in New York on Monday, MLB.com reports.
Daniel Kramer of the team's official site confirmed Clase is up as part of the taxi squad for the moment. However, with Jorge Polanco (hamstring) potentially headed to the IL early in the week, Clase could soon find himself officially promoted to the big-league roster for the second time this season.
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Mariners' Jorge Polanco: IL decision likely imminent
Rotowire
Polanco (hamstring), who was out of the lineup for a fifth straight game Sunday, did some explosive running drills before Sunday's series finale against the Orioles but could still be placed on the injured list in coming days, MLB.com reports.
Despite Polanco upping his activity level Sunday, manager Scott Servais confirmed the veteran infielder is still not moving around at full speed. As such, the Mariners could make a decision on whether to place Polanco on the IL as early as Monday when the team opens a four-game series against the Yankees. Servais conceded Sunday that Polanco was feeling better and has progressed to swinging a bat without discomfort, but given the lingering nature of hamstring injuries, an IL stint might still be necessary to ensure a full recovery.
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Mariners' George Kirby: Road struggles continue
Rotowire
Kirby (4-4) suffered the loss Sunday against the Orioles, allowing five runs on nine hits over six innings. He struck out three.
Kirby was tagged for a solo homer by Gunnar Henderson to lead off the game and eventually allowed five runs and two homers through three innings before settling down and making it through six frames with no additional damage. It was the first time in seven starts Kirby has allowed more than five hits, while the five earned runs lifted Kirby's ERA to 3.99 over 56.1 innings and 5.19 over 26 innings on the road. Kirby's next start is also slated to take place on the road, though in a much friendlier matchup, as he's tentatively lined up to take on the Nationals in Washington next weekend.
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Mariners' J.P. Crawford: Joining team in New York
Rotowire
Crawford (oblique) is set to join the Mariners ahead of their three-game series with the Yankees beginning Monday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
Crawford appears to be ready to rejoin the major-league roster after being placed on the 10-day injured list with a Grade 1 right oblique strain April 25. The shortstop went 1-for-5 with a run scored during his short two-game rehab assignment, which was cut short after he was hit in the hand by a pitch Wednesday. Crawford has struggled to a .198/.296/.302 slash line with two homers, nine RBI and 13 runs scored over 86 at-bats in 22 games with Seattle this season. His return will likely push Dylan Moore out of the starting lineup.
Mariners manager Scott Servais said Sunday that Crawford (oblique/hand) is expected to join the club at some point during the four-game series against the Yankees that begins Monday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
The 29-year-old was unable to join the Mariners as expected in Baltimore this weekend after he was hit by a pitch on the hand during a rehab game Wednesday, but it appears his return will be delayed only a few days. Once activated from the injured list, Crawford should reclaim the starting job at shortstop from Dylan Moore.
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Mariners' Mitch Garver: Not in Sunday's lineup
Rotowire
Garver is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.
Garver started the first two games of the series after missing the previous two contests with back spasms, and he'll sit for Sunday's finale. Cal Raleigh will rest his legs as the designated hitter while Seby Zavala starts behind the plate.
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Mariners' Ty France: Out of Sunday's lineup
Rotowire
France is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Orioles.
France has a .653 OPS through 15 games in May and will take a seat for Sunday's series finale in Baltimore. Luke Raley will step in at first base and bat cleanup.
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Mariners' Jorge Polanco: Absence continues Sunday
Rotowire
Polanco (hamstring) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Baltimore.
Polanco is out of the starting nine for the fifth straight game as he continues to manage soreness in his right hamstring. Josh Rojas is picking up another start at the keystone while Luis Urias mans the hot corner.
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Mariners' Ryne Stanek: Notches second win Saturday
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Stanek (2-0) got the win against the Orioles on Saturday, firing a scoreless two-thirds of an inning while recording a strikeout.
The hard-throwing reliever finished out the seventh inning after Gabe Speier had put two men on via a hit and a walk, retiring Adley Rutschman and Ryan O'Hearn via a strikeout and groundout, respectively, to preserve a 2-2 tie. Stanek eventually became the pitcher of record when the Mariners took a lead in the top of the eighth that held for the last two frames, giving him his second win of the campaign. The veteran right-hander pitched to an unsightly 9.00 ERA across the seven appearances he logged between April 25 and Monday, but he's now generated consecutive scoreless outings.
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Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Extends hitting streak Saturday
Rotowire
Rodriguez went 2-for-5 with a run in a win over the Orioles on Saturday, extending his hitting streak to six games.
Much like his season as a whole, Rodriguez's night was a bit of a mixed bag, as he also struck out in his other three plate appearances. Nevertheless, the talented outfielder now boasts a .417 average (10-for-24) during his aforementioned six-game streak, although eight of those hits have been singles. Rodriguez's .269 season average is solid enough, but both his .318 on-base percentage and .330 slugging percentage are notably behind his career norms.
Munoz allowed a run but hung on to notch his eighth save of the season in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Orioles.
Gunnar Henderson made things interesting with a two-out, solo home run, but Munoz quickly bounced back and sat down Adley Rutschman swinging to end it. Henderson's long ball represents the only run Munoz has allowed over his last 10 appearances, and he boasts a 15:1 K:BB over 12 innings during that span.
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Mariners' Luis Castillo: Mixed bag in no-decision
Rotowire
Castillo did not factor into the decision Saturday in Baltimore, permitting two runs on four hits and four walks over six innings. He struck out two.
The four walks were a season high and the two strikeouts were by far a season low for Castillo. He still managed a seventh straight quality start, keeping his team in it before the Mariners' offense rallied late. It marks the first no-decision of the season for Castillo, who is just 4-5 despite a 3.28 ERA, including a 2.01 mark across his last seven outings.
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Mariners' Mitch Haniger: Breather Saturday
Rotowire
Haniger is not in the starting lineup Saturday versus the Orioles.
Haniger will get a breather after starting the team's last 11 contests, batting .237 with two home runs and three RBI over that stretch. Dominic Canzone will take over in right field and bat seventh against Baltimore.
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Mariners' Jorge Polanco: Remains out Saturday
Rotowire
Polanco (hamstring) is not in the starting lineup Saturday versus the Orioles.
Polanco will remain on the bench for a fourth consecutive game as he continues to nurse right hamstring soreness. Josh Rojas will draw another start at second base and bat leadoff against Baltimore.
Garver (back) went 1-for-4 with an RBI single in a loss to the Orioles on Friday.
Garver was back in the lineup after missing the last two games with back spasms, and he delivered the first run of the contest with his first-inning single. The veteran offseason addition now has seven RBI in May and has reached safely in eight of the last 10 games, but he's still carrying an abysmal .176/.286/.344 slash line across 147 plate appearances on the season.
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Mariners' Dylan Moore: Keeps hitting ball hard Friday
Rotowire
Moore went 2-for-4 with a double, a solo home run and an additional run in a loss to the Orioles on Friday.
Moore's penchant for hard contact was on display once again, and 12 of his 23 hits this season have gone for extra bases. The veteran utility man has reached safely in five of his last seven contests, and he's generated three multi-hit efforts in the last nine games.
