Mariners-Dodgers lineups: Kyle Lewis returns from IL to make ’21 debut

Apr 20, 2021, 10:35 AM | Updated: 10:56 am

Editor, Seattle Sports

The Mariners are 11-6, lead the American League West, and have a chance to sweep a two-game series from the defending World Series champs.

Oh, and Kyle Lewis is back.

Mariners use HRs, defense to keep rolling and beat Dodgers 4-3

Fresh off Monday’s impressive 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Mariners have activated their star center fielder from the 10-day injured list in time for Tuesday’s 1:10 p.m. finale with LA (coverage begins at noon on 710 ESPN Seattle with the pregame show).

Lewis will be making his 2021 season debut after missing the first 18 days due to a deep bone bruise on his surgically-repaired right knee he suffered from banging it on the outfield wall going after a fly ball in a late spring training game against these same Dodgers.

With Lewis back on Seattle’s roster, fellow outfielder Braden Bishop was optioned back to the Mariners’ alternate training site in a corresponding move Tuesday.

The 25-year-old Lewis was the 2020 American League Rookie of the Year thanks to a .262/.364/.437 slash line (.801 OPS), 11 home runs, 28 RBIs and five stolen bases in 58 games.

While Lewis has returned, the Mariners will take it easy with Ty France, who is out of the lineup after being hit in the right forearm by a fastball from Dodgers starter Dustin May on Monday night. Lewis is sliding into France’s No. 2 spot in the order.

France, who came out of Monday’s game after trying to make some throws from third base warming up between innings following the hit by pitch, was able to do defensive work before Tuesday’s game, according to Mariners insider Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle.

Good to see Ty France out on the field taking early work with the infielders. Has a sleeve on the right forearm but otherwise looks okay.

— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) April 20, 2021

The Dodgers have a similar situation with superstar Mookie Betts sitting Tuesday after he also took a fastball off his right forearm in the ninth inning on a pitch from Mariners reliever Rafael Montero. With both Betts and Cody Bellinger out of action, the Dodgers will play former Mariner Chris Taylor in center field and have Max Muncy take over at second base.

Here are Tuesday’s full lineups.