Mariners place star 1B Ty France on IL, recall IF Drew Ellis from Tacoma
Jun 25, 2022, 1:56 PM | Updated: 2:03 pm
Ty France at bat against the Oakland Athletics. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Mariners will unfortunately be without their best player for at least 10 days as star first baseman Ty France has landed on the injured list after suffering a flexor strain in his left elbow on Thursday.
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During Thursday’s win in Oakland, A’s infielder Sheldon Neuse collided with France as the Mariners first baseman stretched to his left to try and catch a throw from Abraham Toro. France’s arm stretched awkwardly and he lost his glove after Neuse ran into him. France left the game and didn’t play on Friday, either.
Ty France left the game after getting injured on this play at first pic.twitter.com/gYyAtD3Uke
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) June 23, 2022
After Friday’s contest, France told MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer that he was heading to the injured list with a Grade 2 flexor strain in his left elbow. The Mariners made that official on Saturday, and in a corresponding move recalled infielder Drew Ellis from Triple-A Tacoma. France’s injury was listed as an elbow sprain, and his injured list stint is retroactive to June 24.
Losing France, 27, is a big blow for a Mariners team that has really struggled offensively this season. France is slashing .316/.390/.476 while leading Seattle in hits, times on base, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and RBIs. He’s also been among the most valuable players in baseball this season, as evidenced by his 3.1 WAR.
The Mariners claimed Ellis, a 26-year-old second-round pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2017, off waivers on June 16. In 34 games at the MLB level, Ellis has slashed .134/.268/.207 with one home run, six RBIs, 33 strikeouts and 11 walks. Ellis is a natural third baseman who has also played some second base at the big league level. He’s also played first base in the minors and played some outfield in college.
In four games for the Rainiers, Ellis slashed .200/.294/.400 with one home run, five RBIs and six strikeouts to two walks.
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