Mariners-Reds Lineups: ‘Geno’ returns to Seattle

Update: J.P. Crawford has been scratched from the Seattle Mariners’ lineup for Monday’s series opener against the Cincinnati Reds. No reason was given for the change when the Mariners announced their new lineup about 90 minutes before the scheduled 6:40 p.m. first pitch. Crawford was initially set to play shortstop and hit in the leadoff spot. With Crawford out, rookie Colt Emerson will play shortstop and hit ninth on his 21st birthday, and All-Star left fielder Randy Arozarena has been moved up to the leadoff spot.

Updated lineup:

LF Arozarena
CF Rodríguez
DH Canzone
C Raleigh
1B Naylor
2B Young
RF Robles
3B Kennedy
SS Emerson

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) July 20, 2026

Original story:

The Seattle Mariners will welcome back a fan favorite as they open a home series Monday night against the Cincinnati Reds, with Eugenio Suárez set to start for the Reds as their designated hitter.

It will mark the first game back at T-Mobile Park for Suárez since he hit the go-ahead grand slam in the Mariners’ Game 5 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in last year’s ALCS.

Suárez reunited in free agency last offseason with the Reds, who he previously starred for from 2015-21. The 34-year-old slugger has scuffled with a .210/.283/.397 slash line for a .680 OPS with 12 home runs in 70 games this season, but the always streaky “Geno” has slugged .515 with five homers, four doubles and an .856 OPS in his last 19 games.

It’s the second time in as many seasons that Suárez returned to one of his previous teams, as his Reds reunion came just months after the Mariners made a big splash at the 2025 MLB trade deadline to bring him back from Arizona. Suárez initially played for Seattle from 2022-23 after coming over in a trade from Cincinnati.

Suárez will hit fifth in Cincinnati’s lineup on Monday against Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby (7-8, 3.76 ERA).

Another edition of Late Night Reds.

Powered by @PNCBank pic.twitter.com/Imbxpj5jxL

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 20, 2026

The Mariners will match up against Reds left-handed starter Andrew Abbott (5-5, 4.11 ERA) on rookie shortstop Colt Emerson’s 21st birthday. Righty-swinging utility man Buddy Kennedy is taking over at third base for the night, with J.P. Crawford out after being a late scratch from the initial lineup.

Dominic Canzone returns to the Mariners lineup hitting third as the DH after getting Sunday off, while weekend star Cole Young will hit sixth after filling in at the No. 3 spot on Sunday. Young, who will turn 23 later this month, went a combined 4 for 8 with two homers, three runs scored and five RBIs in the Mariners’ two wins over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday and Sunday.

First pitch of Monday’s game is set for 6:40 p.m., with Mariners Radio Network coverage on Seattle Sports beginning at 5:30 with the pregame show.

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