With Braden Bishop to IL due to spleen injury, Mariners add Mac Williamson

Mariners center fielder Braden Bishop was removed from Tuesday’s loss to the Astros in the fifth inning with what was believed to be a cramp in his trap muscle.

Turns out it’s a bit more serious than that.

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The Mariners found out prior to Wednesday’s game against Houston that Bishop has a lacerated spleen, prompting Seattle to place the rookie on the 10-day injured list. Taking his spot on the Mariners’ active roster is outfielder Mac Williamson, who was selected from Triple-A Tacoma.

The injury to Bishop opened the door for Williamson to have an unexpectedly memorable first day with the Mariners.

The 28-year-old former San Francisco Giant signed a minor league contract with Seattle earlier Wednesday and reported to Triple-A Tacoma. He was only there long enough to take batting practice, then was rushed up to Seattle to get in uniform for the game against Houston after the M’s received confirmation of Bishop’s injury.

Then Williamson did this.

Just a quick jog around @TMobilePark to get familiar with the place, right @mwilliamson7. 😏 pic.twitter.com/5DZmkOGF4j

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) June 6, 2019

Williamson was called upon in the eighth inning as a pinch hitter, and he drilled a 1-2 offering to dead-center field for a home run in his first at-bat with the Mariners.

As for Bishop, the 25-year-old former UW Huskies star may have suffered his injury last week. He told reporters on Tuesday night that he was hit by a pitch in the ribs while playing for Tacoma prior to his most recent call back up to the majors on Sunday.

Bishop said last night that he was hit in the ribs last week and that they were looking further into that to make sure it wasn't part of the issue last night. Apparently it was. Up from Tacoma, OF Mac Williamson who has been placed on the 25 and 40-man rosters.

— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) June 6, 2019

Bishop is 2 for 24 at the plate in 10 games with the Mariners this season over three stints with the MLB team. With the Triple-A Rainiers, the former University of Washington star is hitting .293 with seven home runs, 29 RBIs and an .878 OPS.

Williamson was a 2012 third-round draft pick of the Giants, and he has appeared in parts of five seasons with San Francisco. He hit .118 (6 for 51) with one home run in 15 games between May 7 and May 24 with the Giants this year. Williamson began the season with Triple-A Sacramento, hitting .378 with nine home runs, a .459 on-base percentage and .756 slugging percentage, which equals out to a 1.215 OPS.

Williamson became a free agent on June 1 after being designated for assignment for the second time this season, clearing waivers and declining an assignment back to the minor leagues by San Francisco.

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