Mariners Move: RF Victor Robles returns from injured list

The Seattle Mariners’ big league roster got a bit closer to full strength on Friday morning, with the team activating right fielder Victor Robles from the 10-day injured list.

To make room for Robles on the 26-man active roster, veteran outfielder/first baseman Connor Joe was optioned to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.

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With the 29-year-old Robles back, the Mariners are down to catcher Cal Raleigh (oblique), third baseman Brendan Donovan (groin) and left-handed reliever Gabe Speier (shoulder) as regulars on the injured list.

Robles landed on Seattle’s IL on April 8 with a right pec strain. The 10th-year MLB veteran appeared in five games for the Mariners prior to the injury, going 3 for 13 (.231) with a double, an RBI and a stolen base.

Last year, Robles was limited to 32 regular season games for the M’s after suffering a dislocation and fracture in his left shoulder making a catch in San Francisco in Seattle’s 10th game of the year. He also appeared in 10 playoff games in 2025.

Robles just completed a 12-game rehab stint with Tacoma, hitting .256 with four doubles, seven RBIs, 10 runs, nine walks and two stolen bases in 54 plate appearances for the Rainiers.

It's a perfect 🔟! pic.twitter.com/enD9Yedqyt

— Tacoma Rainiers (@RainiersLand) May 21, 2026

When healthy, Robles is Seattle’s main right fielder against left-handed pitching, while left-handed hitters Luke Raley and Dominic Canzone generally play the position against right-handers.

A 2019 World Series champion with the Washington Nationals, Robles was a surprise standout for the Mariners in 2024 after joining the team as a midseason free agent following his release by the Nats. He hit .328 with a .393 on-base percentage, .860 OPS and 30 stolen bases in 77 games that year for Seattle, which earned him a two-year, $9.75 million contract extension through 2026. The Mariners have the option to keep Robles in 2027 for a $9 million salary or buy him out for $500,000.

The 33-year-old Joe was called up by Seattle when Robles landed on the IL, and went 6 for 33 (.182) with a home run, two doubles and six walks in 18 games for the M’s. He made 14 appearances in right field and three at first base.

A seven-year MLB veteran who has played for six teams, Joe signed with the Mariners in February on a minor league deal.

The Mariners are currently in Kansas City to begin a three-game series and six-game road trip. Game 1 against the Royals is set for a 4:40 p.m. first pitch Friday, with Mariners Radio Network coverage on Seattle Sports beginning at 3:30 with the pregame show.

At 24-27 entering Friday, the Mariners are one game back of the final American League wild card spot and 2 1/2 games behind the Athletics for the lead in the AL West. The M’s will visit the A’s in Sacramento for a three-game series starting Monday night.

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