Mariners outfielder Ben Gamel has been diagnosed with a strained right oblique muscle and is expected to be sidelined anywhere from four to six weeks, the team told reporters on Monday (Twitter link via MLB.com’s Greg Johns). That almost certainly means he’ll open the season on the disabled list, and if the recovery takes closer to the six-week end of the spectrum, he could miss the first two to three weeks of the season.
Gamel, 25, is in line for regular at-bats with the 2018 Mariners after posting a solid .275/.322/.413 slash with 11 homers, 27 doubles and five triples through 550 plate appearances last year in his first full big league season. Gamel turned in an exceptional first half in 2017, slashing .323/.379/.449 before cratering with a .227/.262/.376 slash following the All-Star break. He joins first baseman Ryon Healy on the list of notable Mariners injuries in Spring Training, though Healy, unlike Gamel, could potentially be ready for Opening Day.
Seattle is thin on outfield depth on the 40-man roster at the moment — particularly with Guillermo Heredia still on the mend from October shoulder surgery. Heredia recently made his spring debut and has had a couple of at-bats, but he’s more of a depth piece and fourth outfielder than an everyday option (though he could handle left field on a short-term basis with Gamel out). However, as Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times points out (on Twitter), Mariners right fielder Mitch Haniger is dealing with tendinitis in his hand and hasn’t taken batting practice in nearly a week. The Mariners have veteran Kirk Nieuwenhuis in camp on a minor league deal, but it seems fair to suggest that they could stand to bring in some additional outfield help.
The Mariners were linked to Jon Jay earlier in the offseason, and he remains unsigned, as does former Rockies star Carlos Gonzalez. (Additional unsigned options can be seen in MLBTR’s Free Agent Tracker.) Adding a bat like CarGo would be a rather extreme reaction to a short-term absence for Gamel and a seemingly more minor injury for Haniger, but Jay makes some sense for the Seattle roster even with a healthy Gamel and Haniger on the roster. Seattle GM Jerry Dipoto, of course, is never one to shy away from making plays on the waiver wire, and there should be a fair number of names becoming available via that avenue in the coming weeks.
Wow. The M’s may need a new training staff.
I think Dipoto has put a world-class emphasis and focus on his club’s physical fitness training. Injuries happen. Not sure we can infer that much from this news. Or am I missing something?
Seems like ever since players got into weight lifting all these injuries to muscles I’ve never heard of have popped up. They should go for flexibility and cardio instead.
But chicks dig the long ball.
Poor Melky. Seems like the perfect low cost signing for this situation. A reunion with his best friend Cano might further invigorate him.
Ichiro.
Mechiro
Ha, that’s awesome as I’ve been calling him that for years. Most selfish player I’ve ever seen…
Selfish?!?! Do explain. Seriously, so I can laugh at all the replies blasting you.
Well then
The Mariners have a new head athletic trainer, but it’s silly to suggest this is on him. The issue with Heredia stems from last season as he’s recovering from surgery and Haniger’s issue is with his hand. He’ll be back in action shortly.
There’s a real need for outfield depth, though. I would argue that there’s a need for 1B depth as well, since Healy still isn’t able to swing the bat and Ford hasn’t had the electric start Seattle has hoped he would have, despite a dinger last night. Vogelbach still has the defensive question mark looming.
There’s also a need for pitching with Ramirez likely missing the start of the season and Rumbelow possibly missing the start in a depth role. Christian Walker, Brett Phillips, and Wilmer Font could all serve as answers for the Mariners.
Phillips to the M’s is highly unlikely. You’re going to have to give up a decent prospect to get him and the mariners don’t have many. I’m sure they don’t want to take anything off the ML team either so that doesn’t make any sense. He has plenty of options left so the brewers don’t have to be in any hurry to unload him. Christian Walker could work. Or they could hit the FA market. Seth smith, jay, cargo etc. it’s not a terrible time to need another OFer. If they need a guy who can play center it’ll have to be jay or a trade though.
Should’ve got Dickerson. Such is life as a M’s fan
Keon Broxton ?? Got any pitching?
Max Povse for Broxton?
As the article says Dipoto is more likely to wait for a waiver wire pickup or trade than a FA signing.
Looks like this has paved the way for Ichiro’s return. Hey, why not.
No it doesn’t. Steve speculates that they may wait or make a trade given Dipoto’s history. Anything could happen. The m’s may feel like they need an outfielder now and need to sign or trade one before any are available on waivers. They’re pretty thin right now.
As a angels fan this guy suck your better off look at the waiver wire oh u did u sign Ichi rho lol what that guy like 50 now