Banged-up Seattle Mariners make 2 big changes to lineup

The Seattle Mariners are making some changes with a pair of key players banged up.

Mariners Injury Updates: Latest on Robles, Kirby, Brash and more

Right fielder and leadoff hitter Victor Robles is out for at least 10 days – and likely more – due to a dislocated shoulder he suffered on a catch in the final inning of Sunday’s loss to the Giants in San Francisco. And infielder Jorge Polanco, who has been playing third base this season, is dealing with soreness in his side.

The Mariners are right back in action at home Monday night in their first series of the year against the American League West rival Houston Astros, and their lineup is reflective of how they may go about things while Robles is on the injured list and Polanco works though his issue.

First is the matter of who hits… first. Mariners manager Dan Wilson is opting for Julio Rodríguez, Seattle’s usual No. 2 hitter, to move up a spot. Rodríguez is no stranger to hitting leadoff, starting 113 career games as Seattle’s first hitter up including 10 last season. He’s only hit more in the second spot (185 games) since making his MLB debut in 2022.

The 24-year-old Rodríguez is off to a good start at the plate, at least in terms of power and patience. While his batting average is just .216 (8 for 37), he has six walks, three home runs, a .356 on-base percentage and .869 OPS.

4️⃣2️⃣3️⃣ feet
1️⃣0️⃣9️⃣ mph exit velocity
1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣% crushed pic.twitter.com/tBT1a0B7Qz

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 6, 2025

With Robles out, outfielder/first baseman Luke Raley is in right field Monday. Seattle also called up outfielder Dominic Canzone from Triple-A Tacoma on Monday to take Robles’ spot on the active roster.

Mariners OF Victor Robles leaves game after spectacular catch

The second big change is with Polanco, which is actually two changes in one – if not more. He is penciled in as the designated hitter for Monday night and the No. 2 spot in the batting order, which is an upgrade as he’s otherwise been in the middle-third of the order this season. That is, when he’s been in the lineup. Polanco, who is coming off knee surgery, has started just five of Seattle’s 10 games thus far, missing action either for a stint on the paternity list, rest reasons and because of the side soreness.

When Polanco has played, he’s been Seattle’s best hitter in the early weeks of the season. He has a .450 average (9 for 20) with two home runs and a 1.226 OPS.

POLO DOES IT AGAIN 💥 pic.twitter.com/rUtDfOjgw9

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 4, 2025

With the switch-hitting Polanco up higher in the order, it gives Seattle variety in handedness. With Robles and Rodríguez, who both hit right-handed, usually the first two hitters in the order, the Mariners have used switch-hitting catcher Cal Raleigh at No. 3 and right-handed outfielder Randy Arozarena in the cleanup spot. But for Monday, it’s Arozarena third and Raleigh fourth in the lineup.

There’s one more thing to address about the lineup: who plays third with Polanco at DH. The answer is Dylan Moore, last year’s AL Gold Glove winner as a utilty player who has proven to be Seattle’s best defensive option at the hot corner early on this season. Moore has been hitting, too, entering Monday with a .368 average (7 for 19) with two homers and 1.139 OPS.

Watch it fly, DMO! #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/DOS7Cn1LrB

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 6, 2025

Here’s the full Mariners lineup for Monday.

Seattle Mariners (3-7)

Julio Rodríguez, CF
Jorge Polanco, DH
Randy Arozarena, LF
Cal Raleigh, C
Luke Raley, RF
Rowdy Tellez, 1B
Dylan Moore, 3B
Ryan Bliss, 2B
J.P. Crawford, SS

Logan Gilbert, SP

We’re back home to take on the Astros tonight ⚾ #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/vcWNnmN4gU

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 7, 2025

The Astros are starting 27-year-old right-hander Hayden Wesneski on the mound Monday against Mariners All-Star Logan Gilbert. Wesneski, who 23 starts in 69 career MLB games since 2022, is in his first year with Houston.

The 4-5 Astros are in third place in the AL West, which is a 1 1/2 games ahead of the last-place Mariners.

See full MLB standings

Radio coverage of Monday’s 6:40 p.m. game is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. on Seattle Sports 710 AM, the Seattle Sports app and SeattleSports.com with the pregame show. For details on how to hear Mariners Radio Network broadcasts from Seattle Sports, click here.

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• Two top Seattle Mariners prospects shine in 2025 season debuts

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