Mariners Updates: Seattle hopes Julio Rodríguez returns Monday

The Mariners will go their entire home series against the Houston Astros without rookie All-Star Julio Rodríguez in the starting lineup. The hope is that will be all the time he needs to miss.

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Rodríguez was out of action for the start of Sunday afternoon’s series finale, marking the third straight game he has been sidelined since being scratched from the lineup shortly before first pitch Friday with a sore left wrist.

Seattle Sports Mariners insider Shannon Drayer reports that M’s manager Scott Servais said Sunday that Rodríguez had undergone an MRI and that no structural damage was found. Servais added that Seattle is hopeful he will be back in the lineup Monday night when the M’s begin a new series against the Texas Rangers.

Mariners had Julio's wrist checked out yesterday, MRI revealed no structural damage. The hope is he can play tomorrow.

— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) July 24, 2022

Rodríguez, 21, jammed his wrist on a stolen base attempt on July 17, Seattle’s last game before the All-Star break. He remained in the game and even hit a double off the wall that just missed being a homer, then went on to compete in the MLB Home Run Derby the next night and All-Star Game on Tuesday. It’s likely the injury was inflamed by the derby in which he hit 81 home runs over three rounds.

Here are a few more updates on Mariners players.

Lewis returns to lineup

The Mariners plugged Kyle Lewis back into their lineup Sunday against the Astros, with the 2020 American League Rookie of the Year hitting third and serving as the designated hitter. Lewis, 27, returned from the injured list Friday following his recovery from a concussion. His surgically-repaired right knee is still a consideration, which is why he sat Saturday after playing right field Friday, which was his first appearance in the field in a big league game since May 2021.

Haniger’s rehab assignment

Mariners All-Star right fielder Mitch Haniger is two games into his rehab assignment as he comes back from a high-ankle sprain that has sidelined him since April. He is 2 for 6 with a walk and an RBI for the High-A Everett AquaSox, having played DH on both Friday and Saturday. He will join Triple-A Tacoma next when the Rainiers return from a road trip Tuesday.

On Thursday’s edition of The Jerry Dipoto Show on Seattle Sports, the Mariners general manager said Haniger will ramp up to playing the outfield, then playing the outfield on back-to-back days, before he will return to the M’s.

Murphy eying spring training

Jen Mueller of ROOT Sports reported Saturday that the surgery Mariners catcher Tom Murphy underwent to repair a dislocated left shoulder was more intensive than initially expected. He is now focusing his efforts on being ready for spring training next year, per Mueller. Murphy, 31, is under one more year of team control before becoming a free agent following the 2023 season.

Talked with Tom Murphy today. His labrum was more damaged than expected when the doctors went in to do the surgery but he expects to be ready for Spring Training. Calls it the bright side of doing the surgery now is that he’ll be ready in 6 months.

— Jen Mueller (@JenTalksSports) July 23, 2022

Mueller also had an update Sunday on Mariners outfielder Taylor Trammell, who is on the injured list with a hamstring strain. You can read that report here.

More from The Jerry Dipoto Show on Mariners’ Lewis, Haniger

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