Mariners get key lineup return, alter this week’s pitching plans

Rookie shortstop Colt Emerson is back in the Seattle Mariners’ lineup on Wednesday after being a late scratch the day prior.

Could Seattle Mariners pivot to Rockies for big bat they need?

Manager Dan Wilson told reporters before Wednesday’s game against the Dodgers in Los Angeles that Emerson was pulled from the lineup Tuesday because of a “flare up” with back spasms, via The Seattle Times’ Adam Jude. Wilson said Emerson received extra treatment in the training room Wednesday prior to returning to the lineup.

Emerson is batting ninth as the M’s are rolling out a nearly identical lineup while facing a left-hander for the second straight game.

Second baseman Cole Young will be the leadoff hitter, followed by left fielder Randy Arozarena, center fielder Julio Rodríguez and right fielder Dominic Canzone in the cleanup spot. Canzone is coming off a massive two-homer game in Tuesday’s 7-6 win over Los Angeles.

You can see the rest of the Mariners’ lineup against Eric Lauer below, which includes second straight starts for Rob Refsnyder and Weston Wilson.

Clocking in for Game 2 ⌚️

📺 FREE on https://t.co/o2PoeYA9BK
📻 @SeattleSports pic.twitter.com/eEHjWXNoFB

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) July 29, 2026

Rotation change

The Mariners are making a change with their rotation plans this week as Bryan Woo has been moved up to start Thursday’s series finale against the Dodgers and Bryce Miller has been pushed back a day to start Friday’s series opener against the Minnesota Twins in Seattle.

Wilson said Miller “needed an extra day.”

Miller has been Seattle’s best starter since returning from the injured list (left oblique strain) in mid-May but is coming off his roughest outing of the year. He surrendered a season-high five runs over 5 1/3 innings on Friday against Texas. He also didn’t strike out a batter for the first time in 85 career starts.

The Mariners continue their three-game series against the Dodgers at 7:10 p.m. Wednesday. Radio coverage begins on Seattle Sports 710 AM and the Seattle Sports app with the pregame how at 6 p.m.

Seattle Mariners news and more

• Brendan Donovan shows best signs yet during rehab
• Seattle Mariners’ Rob Refsnyder returns from IL; utility player DFA’d
• How ESPN’s Passan says scuffling Seattle Mariners can ‘change it up’

Related

AL West-leading Rangers acquire catcher, reliever in trade with AngelsThere’s been a big development in Dom Canzone’s gameTwins put star Buxton on IL days before series vs MarinersMariners’ Refsnyder makes ‘no excuses,’ returns with mechanical tweaksCould Mariners pivot to Rockies for big bat they need?Mariners ride five homers to thrilling 7-6 win over Dodgers