Mariners SS J.P. Crawford begins rehab assignment

Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford has joined Triple-A Tacoma for a rehab assignment, the Rainiers announced Tuesday.

Crawford is in the lineup batting second as the shortstop as the Rainiers begin a home series with El Paso in Cheney Stadium at 6:05 p.m. on Tuesday.

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Crawford started the Mariners season on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. The issue limited him to just seven games and 18 plate appearances during spring training.

The 31-year-old shortstop played his last Cactus League game on March 11, but was able to get some extra at-bats in before the rehab assignment during minor league spring training games when he remained at the Mariners’ facility in Peoria, Ariz., as the club broke camp for opening day.

Crawford re-joined the team in Seattle on Saturday and participated in some batting practice and fielding drills.

The earliest Crawford is eligible to return from the IL is Wednesday, but the expectation is he won’t return until some point during the Mariners’ first road trip of the season, which begins Friday against the Los Angeles Angels.

The left-handed-hitting Crawford is the longest-tenured Mariners player. He’s coming off a 2025 season where he posted a 3.8 bWAR, the second-highest mark for his career, while slashing .265/.352/.370 with a .722 OPS, 12 homers and 24 doubles. His on-base percentage was sixth in MLB among primary shortstops.

Leo Rivas has started at shortstop in each of the Mariners’ first five games with Crawford out. The switch-hitting Rivas is batting .235 (4 for 17) with a triple, an RBI, two walks and six strikeouts.

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