Mariners down another SS as Colt Emerson scratched

The Seattle Mariners are down not just their primary shortstop but also their second option for Monday in Baltimore.

Rookie standout Colt Emerson, who has been filling in at the position with J.P. Crawford nursing a hand injury, was scratched from the lineup due to back tightness about an hour from the 3:35 p.m. first pitch against the Orioles.

Orioles place Bassitt on IL, call up pitcher to start vs Mariners

Emerson’s scratch came not long after Crawford was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hand contusion. Crawford did not play Saturday or Sunday after leaving Friday’s loss in Detroit in the third inning when he was hit in the hand by a 96 mph pitch.

With Emerson out of the lineup, Mariners starting second baseman Cole Young has been moved to shortstop, with Ryan Bliss taking over at second base. Bliss was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma to take Crawford’s place on the 26-man active roster earlier Monday.

Emerson has primarily played third base for the M’s but came up through the minors as a shortstop, as did Young.

Updated lineup:

SS Young
CF Rodríguez
1B Naylor
LF Arozarena
RF Raley
DH Canzone
3B Wisdom
C Pereda
2B Bliss

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) June 8, 2026

The 20-year-old Emerson is hitting .242 with four home runs, five doubles, a triple, nine runs scored and 10 RBIs in 19 games since being promoted from Triple-A last month. The No. 22 overall pick in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft, Emerson has been considered one of the top prospects in baseball for the past three years.

Mariners Radio Network coverage of Monday’s series opener against the Baltimore Orioles is carried on Seattle Sports 710 AM, the Seattle Sports app and streaming on SeattleSports.com. Click here for details on how to tune in the game.

Seattle Mariners news and more

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• Emerson shares two things behind his strong Seattle Mariners start

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