Jorge Polanco – the full version – is back for the Mariners

The Seattle Mariners will have something on the field Tuesday night for the first time since the very early days of the season: the full version of Jorge Polanco.

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Seattle’s switch-hitting, early-season standout has been limited to swinging only from the left side of the plate and appearing just as a designated hitter or pinch-hitter since April 4 due to an core issue – with a few exceptions. He played first base for one batter on April 6, and has spent a couple innings in the field at second base since Saturday.

The Mariners are taking a big step with Polanco for Tuesday’s game against the Athletics in Sacramento, Calif., though. Not only is Polanco starting a game in the field – second base, to be specific – for the first time in over a month, but the A’s are starting left-hander Jeffrey Springs on the mound.

That means that Polanco, who has just five plate appearances from the right side this year, will hit right-handed for the first time since he first felt soreness in his side. Polanco has faced a left-hander once in the time since, but he did so as a left-handed hitter on April 16, striking out against Cincinnati Reds southpaw Taylor Rogers.

With Polanco in the field Tuesday, it allows the Mariners to get another player dealing with a soft-tissue injury back in the lineup. Usual left fielder Randy Arozarena will be the designated hitter after missing the past two games with a hamstring issue.

Despite the 31-year-old Polanco’s core injury, he has been one of the best hitters in baseball this season. He’s slashing .369/.407/.750 for a 1.157 OPS, is tied for eighth in MLB with eight home runs, and is tied for ninth with 27 RBIs. He’s averaging one home run per every 9.33 at-bats, which would lead baseball if he had enough plate appearances to qualify for the leaderboard.

Polanco’s hot start resulting in him being awarded American League Player of the Week on April 28.

Polanco had a trying 2024 season, his first after coming to the Mariners from the Minnesota Twins in a trade. A knee injury has been credited for at least part of the reason, and it seems to add up considering how well he’s hit this year following offseason knee injury – and especially if you factor in the core issue he’s been playing with.

Seattle re-signed Polanco in January and started the year with him as their everyday third baseman. But with rookie Ben Williamson having played well since being called up from Triple-A Tacoma, it appears Polanco is back at his natural position of second base going forward.

The Mariners got another option at second base back Tuesday with the activation of Dylan Moore from the 10-day injured list, though he seems likely to see a good amount of time in right field with Victor Robles and Luke Raley both out of action with long-term injuries. Seattle additionally added outfielder Leody Tavares on a waiver claim from the Texas Rangers on Tuesday.

Moore is starting in right field Tuesday, with fellow utility player Miles Matrobuoni at Arozarena’s usual left field position.

Here’s the full Mariners lineup for Tuesday against the Athletics:

How we stack up for game 2. #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/2j8pEZwsYS

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) May 6, 2025

The Mariners will play the second game of their three-game series with the A’s at 7:05 p.m., with Seattle Sports radio coverage beginning at 6 p.m. with the pregame show. The finale of the series will be close behind with first pitch at 12:35 p.m. Wednesday, with an 11:30 a.m. start for the Seattle Sports pregame.

More on the Seattle Mariners

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• Three Mariners OFs win minor league POTW awards
• Why ESPN’s Buster Olney believes in Edgar’s impact on M’s
• George Kirby takes important step towards return from injury
• The story of Seattle Mariners drafting Williamson says a lot about him

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