SEATTLE MARINERS

Mariners may need OF help as Ben Gamel out with oblique strain

Mar 5, 2018, 8:57 AM | Updated: 10:24 am

Ben Gamel is the second Mariners outfielder in less than a year to suffer an oblique strain. (AP)...

Ben Gamel is the second Mariners outfielder in less than a year to suffer an oblique strain. (AP)

(AP)

PEORIA, Ariz. – Mariners left fielder Ben Gamel, who has been sidelined since tweaking his back in early hitting work last Friday, has been diagnosed with an oblique strain. He is expected to miss four to six weeks.

Gamel, who underwent an MRI late last week, was seen Monday morning in Peoria by Mariners team doctor Dr. Edward Khalfayan, who gave the diagnosis of a right oblique strain. He is the second Mariners outfielder in the last two years to suffer an oblique strain – Mitch Haniger was out from April 26 to June 11 last season with a similar injury.

Paxton struggles in 2nd outing | Another nice start for Gonzales

Gamel exits as Guillermo Heredia returns to the field after offseason shoulder surgery. While Heredia has been able to hit for some time now, he has yet to play the field in spring training and is not expected to do so until next week. Along with Heredia, Haniger is not 100 percent as he has missed all of Cactus League play due to hand soreness/tendinitis.

With the loss of Gamel, the Mariners find themselves thin in the outfield.

Outfield depth currently in camp includes Cameron Perkins, Junior Lake, Braden Bishop, Ian Miller and John Andreoli, with only Perkins and Lake having limited big league experience. Kirk Niewenhuis, who has the most big league experience of the invited outfielders in spring training, is currently sidelined with a hamstring strain.

With Heredia and Haniger coming off injury and the uncertainty that comes with an oblique strain, the Mariners may need to look outside the organization for help. There is the possibility of a trade or there are still a number of free agents who could fill the 4th outfielder role, including Ichiro Suzuki. I would be surprised if we didn’t see a new face in Peoria soon.

More Mariners spring training coverage from Shannon Drayer

Seattle Mariners

Mariners spring training...

Brent Stecker

The Mariners have a new minor league affiliate team

The Seattle Mariners' Low-A affiliate in the California League will change following the 2025 season, and it will be a reunion of sorts.

18 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Luis Castillo trade Red Sox...

Shannon Drayer

Morosi dives into idea of Mariners trading Castillo for Boston’s Casas

MLB Network's Jon Morosi made the case for the Seattle Mariners trading their most experienced pitcher for a young Red Sox slugger.

20 hours ago

Seattle Mariners trade offseason hot stove Red Sox Triston Casas...

Brent Stecker

There’s smoke around a possible Mariners-Red Sox trade

Multiple MLB reporters shared information on trade talks between the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox on Wednesday.

2 days ago

Seattle Mariners MLB Draft Jace LaViolette...

Brent Stecker

Here’s who Mariners could take at No. 3 overall in 2025 MLB Draft

The Seattle Mariners ran into some luck in landing the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, so here's a look at the players they could consider.

2 days ago

Seattle Mariners 2023 MLB Draft...

Brent Stecker

Lucky Mariners just unexpectedly landed very high MLB Draft pick

The Seattle Mariners went into Tuesday's MLB Draft Lottery with the 14th-best odds for the No. 1 overall pick. They did a lot better than that.

3 days ago

Seattle native Matthew Boyd...

Andrew Seligmen

Seattle area native, ex-M’s LHP Matthew Boyd thankful for chance with Cubs

After making a successful return from Tommy John surgery, Seattle native Matthew Boyd signed a two-year deal with his grandpa's favorite team.

3 days ago

Mariners may need OF help as Ben Gamel out with oblique strain