GLENDALE, Ariz. — Here’s the conundrum facing Dan Wilson and the rest of the managers around Major League Baseball as spring training nears its end and opening day looms less than a week away — the regular players need to be out there in games as part of their overall preparation, but the fear of injury in these final meaningless games is very real.
The Mariners experienced the suboptimal side of the situation when Victor Robles was struck in the right hand by an 87-mph slider from right-hander Gus Varland in Saturday’s win over the White Sox at Camelback Ranch, putting him in immediate pain.
After the ball hit him in the hand, Robles slammed the bat down and hopped around in obvious discomfort. Wilson and head athletic trainer Kyle Torgerson immediately came to check on him.
After a brief examination of the hand and a quick conversation, an upset Robles walked off the field with Torgerson. He will undergo X-rays to see if there is any fractures in the hand.
“We’re hoping for the best,” Wilson said. “They’re gonna get it checked out today. Hopefully he’s in good shape, but he was frustrated as you would be, but we’re just hopeful he’s OK.”
The Mariners got a scare earlier in the spring when Mitch Garver was struck on the hand by a pitch. Fortunately for Seattle, Garver didn’t suffer any breaks and was able to return a week later.
Losing Robles, their leadoff hitter and every-day right fielder, to a serious injury just before opening day would be a frustrating way to start the season.
Robles has been outstanding of late. He reached base four times in five plate appearances on Friday, blasting a leadoff homer and smacking two singles while also being a hit by a pitch.
He had hits in his first two plate appearances vs. the White Sox. He looped a single to right field that got by Michael A. Taylor for a two-base error. In the Mariners’ six-run second inning, Robles drove in a run with an infield single.
“It’s never a good time for something like that,” Wilson said. “But I think he’s going to be OK. I don’t think it’s a big deal. But guys need to get their work in here, and we’re right toward the end, and you don’t want to see anybody get hurt at this point. But I think Vic’s gonna be fine.”
Given how he stands at the plate and his hitting approach, Robles is susceptible to being hit by pitches. It was the third time he’s been hit this spring. He was hit by 11 pitches last season, including multiple times in the hand/wrist area.
While the Mariners want to keep him healthy, they also understand it’s how he hits and what makes him successful.
They take a similar approach with his baserunning. While he may make a few curious decisions on the bases, that might be too risky or even silly in certain situations, the Mariners don’t wan to take away from his overall aggressive style of running.
“He’s a guy who really knows what he does and does well, and he’s an incredible teammate as well,” Wilson said. He brings a lot of life to this ballclub. He’s an elite base stealer. His aggression on the bases is welcome. He’s earned that. He’s a guy that will make things happen. He impacts the game in a lot of different ways.”
Roster moves
The Mariners moved closer to their opening day roster, making four more cuts from MLB camp.
Seattle optioned outfielder Dominic Canzone and infielder Austin Shenton to Tacoma and reassigned right-handed pitchers Logan Evans and Shintaro Fujinami to minor league camp.
Both Canzone and Shenton will play every day with the Rainiers and will likely be called up at some point during the season if needed.
Evans and Fujinami, who are not on the 40-man roster, are expected to be assigned to the Rainiers. Evans will pitch out of the rotation while Fujinami, who signed a minor league contract, will be in the bullpen.
The Mariners have 36 players remaining in camp, including three players — Matt Brash, Mitch Haniger and George Kirby — who will start the season on the injured list. They don’t have to finalize their opening day roster until Thursday morning. Though the expectation is that it will be set before they leave Arizona after Monday’s final Cactus League game.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
