Mariners Injury Updates: Vargas’ rehab, notes on J.P. and more

With the Seattle Mariners’ nine-game road trip shifting to a big middle series against the AL West-leading Houston Astros, here’s a look at a four players working back from injury or dealing with recent woes.

Mariners to option rookie shortstop Colt Emerson to Triple-A

• Relief pitcher Carlos Vargas, who has not pitched for the Mariners yet this year, is now two appearances into a rehab assignment with Seattle minor league affiliates.

The 26-year-old right-hander started the rehab assignment last Saturday with the High-A Everett AquaSox, throwing a perfect inning at Funko Field against the Vancouver Canadians.

Vargas then went to Tacoma and pitched for the Triple-A Rainiers on Tuesday night, keeping the Reno Aces off the scoreboard while working around two hits in an inning of work with one strikeout.

The Mariners put Vargas on the injured list with a right lat strain late in spring training. Last season, Vargas had a 3.97 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with 54 strikeouts to 23 walks. His 77 innings pitched was second among M’s relievers in 2025. He also pitched seven innings over six appearances in the playoffs.

• Infielder J.P. Crawford is not expected to return on this road trip, Mariners insider Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports said Thursday morning on Brock and Salk. Crawford, who last played on July 29, is on the injured list with left wrist inflammation.

• New Mariners outfielder Taylor Ward was out of the lineup against the Yankees on Thursday with quad tightness, according to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times. Ward was Seattle’s most notable addition ahead of the MLB trade deadline on Aug. 3.

• Second baseman Cole Young, who left Wednesday’s game in New York with dizziness, was out of the starting lineup Thursday but entered as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning and remained in the game. Thursday was the first time in 2026 that Young was not in Seattle’s starting lineup, but he maintained his status of having played in every game for the Mariners this season.

The Mariners continue their road trip at 5:15 p.m. Friday against the Houston Astros, with Mariners Radio Network coverage on Seattle Sports starting at 4 p.m. with the pregame show.

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