Mariners get All-Star Randy Arozarena back from IL; OF optioned to Triple-A

The Seattle Mariners’ best all-around hitter this season is returning to action, with All-Star left fielder Randy Arozarena activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Tuesday’s 3:40 p.m. contest in Pittsburgh that opens a six-game road trip.

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Arozarena was placed on the IL on June 15 for a left hamstring strain in a move that was retroactive to June 13.

To make room on the 26-man roster for Arozarena’s return, the Mariners optioned veteran outfielder/first baseman Connor Joe to Triple-A Tacoma.

Arozarena left Seattle’s road game on June 12 against the Washington Nationals after pulling his hamstring running out a ground ball.

Among Mariners hitters with a qualifying number of plate appearances, the 31-year-old Arozarena leads the team with a .291 batting average, .377 on-base percentage, .448 slugging percentage, .825 OPS, 18 doubles, 19 stolen bases and 47 runs scored. He also has seven home runs, a triple and 33 RBIs in 71 games, and his 76 hits is just one behind Julio Rodríguez for the team lead. Arozarena ranks sixth in MLB in stolen bases and tied for 11th in doubles.

Arozarena appears primed for his third American League All-Star nomination this season. He previously played in the All-Star Game last year in his first full season with Seattle as well as in 2023, when he started in left field for the AL in the game at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park.

The Mariners acquired Arozarena ahead of the 2024 MLB trade deadline in a deal with the Rays. The 2020 ALCS MVP and 2021 AL Rookie of the Year with Tampa Bay, Arozarena is set to be a free agent after this season.

Joe, 33, has hit .179 (7 for 39) with a home run and two doubles in 21 games for the Mariners this season. He debuted in the big leagues with the San Francisco Giants in 2019 and has also played in his career with Colorado, Pittsburgh, San Diego and Cincinnati.

Joe appeared in three games after being called up last Tuesday for his second stint this season with the Mariners, who signed him to a minor league contract in February.

The M’s enter Tuesday with a 40-39 record, which puts them up 1 1/2 games over the Athletics for first place in the AL West.

Mariners Radio Network coverage on Seattle Sports of Tuesday’s series opener against the Pirates begins at 2:30 with the pregame show.

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