The latest on J.P. Crawford’s shoulder issue and status for season

Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford was not in camp Tuesday as the club sent him to Arlington, Texas, to see Dr. Keith Meister after missing more time with a shoulder issue. The news was announced by geneal manager Justin Hollander, and while often a player’s name and Dr. Meister being linked together comes with a sense of foreboding, Hollander indicated that at the moment that should not be the case.

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“This is the briefest of briefest non-update updates,” Hollander told the media before manager Dan Wilson was scheduled for his daily session. “I know Dan had said we would get you an update on J.P. today. J.P. is visiting with Meister today just to make sure we’re on the right track.”

Hollander revealed Crawford had undergone imaging on the shoulder recently and that it showed nothing serious.

“I think J.P., Meister, everyone just wanted to get peace of mind to make sure that we were treating this appropriately,” said Hollander, who noted an update will be provided later today or tomorrow.

Crawford has played in just seven games this spring, and only three in the field. If all goes well and Meister confirms what Crawford is dealing with is not serious, the question still remains whether he will be ready for opening day. When asked about his concern level with the opener just nine days away, Hollander termed it as “not high.”

“My concern level is that we do the right thing now, so he’s not battling every couple of weeks feeling uncomfortable,” Hollander said. “But I don’t have concerns that we’re headed towards a surgical option or something like that. No one thinks that’s the case right now. So we want to make sure we’re getting him going in the right direction and it’s not something that lingers.”

If that means starting the season with Crawford on the injured list, the Mariners have options to replace him at shortstop.

Leo Rivas would likely be the first up as he has at this point has considerable experience with the team at shortstop, and the the Mariners like the switch hitter’s bat from the right side.

Second baseman Cole Young has taken work at short in morning infield drills throughout the spring and could also slide over if need be.

Ryan Bliss, who is back in the lineup Tuesday playing left field after missing a few days with what he called a minor issue, would be an option to take an open spot at second.

Less likely is top prospect Colt Emerson, who has showed well in the field and on the bases this spring but whose offense was slow to get going. The Mariners will want him in a good place at the plate before bringing him up from the minors, and such a move would be unlikely if it was just for the short term.

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