How will Victor Robles fit back into Mariners’ lineup?

After missing nearly the entire season to this point with an injury, Victor Robles is inching closer to his return to the Seattle Mariners.

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Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said Tuesday that the right-handed hitting outfielder will begin a rehab assignment Aug. 12, which will mark his first in-game action since suffering a fractured humeral head and dislocated shoulder jumping into the netting in right field to make a catch at Oracle Park in San Francisco.

The club expects Robles will need at least 40 to 50 at-bats on a rehab assignment before returning to the majors, putting his on track for a potential September return to the lineup. But how exactly will he fit into an outfield that features every day starters Randy Arozarena and Julio Rodríguez, as well as the emerging Dominic Canzone?

Yahoo Sports’ Jordan Shusterman shared his thoughts on how Robles will fit back into the Mariners’ lineup during his weekly conversation with Seattle Sports’ Bump and Stacy on Wednesday.

“If Victor is healthy, he’s going to play, especially against left-handed pitching, and that’s something that they really need right now,” Shusterman said.

The Mariners do need some help against southpaws when it comes to their production in right field. The club has received a .543 OPS against left-handers from right fielders this season, which ranks 26th in baseball.

Robles excelled most against right-handers during his breakout season with the Mariners lain 2024, but he has historically been better against the southpaws with a career .263 average and .722 OPS against left-handers compared to a .241 average and .675 OPS against right-handers.

“They will take not just his bat against left-handed pitching and his on-base and his speed, but also his defense,” Shusterman said. “That’s something that Canzone’s been OK (at), but in terms of just like your best lineup even say against righties, especially if we’re talking about defense, I think it does include Robles.”

While Shusterman believes Robles has a clear role when he returns, he also feels expectations should be tempered.

“I’m trying to keep my expectations low because of the injury that he’s coming back from and how they’re going to be able to work him in, because it’s not as apparent that he’s going to be able to get every day at-bats,” Shusterman said. “That said, just his energy even in a part-time role, I think it’s going to make huge difference.”

See the full conversation in the video at the top of this story. Listen to Bump and Stacy weekdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.

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