The Mariners placed outfielder AJ Pollock on the 10-day IL earlier today, with outfielder Taylor Trammell taking his place on the active roster. While Pollock has struggled to a wRC+ of just 51 in 138 plate appearances with Seattle this season, Pollock’s injury further exacerbates an outfield situation that has quickly become a problem for the club. Julio Rodriguez and Teoscar Hernandez are both locked into starting spots in center and right field, respectively, but the absences of Pollock and Jarred Kelenic leave the club scrambling for options to fill out the rest of the club’s outfield mix. First baseman Mike Ford has taken over DH duties on a nearly full-time basis over the past month, while left field is set to be filled by a mix of depth options like Trammell, Dylan Moore, and Cade Marlowe.
To make matters worse for the Mariners, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times relays that, according to manager Scott Servais, Kelenic isn’t expected back until early September. He’ll spend the next 4-6 weeks in a walking boot after kicking a water cooler out of frustration following a ninth-inning strikeout. The incident left Kelenic with a fractured left foot. With so few options available to cover for Kelenic in left field, the Mariners seem poised to look into adding an outfielder ahead of the trade deadline on August 1. The club has previously been connected to Mark Canha of the Mets, though Tommy Pham, Cody Bellinger, and Lane Thomas are other outfielders who could potentially move prior to the deadline.
More from the AL West…
- Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon recently underwent an MRI that revealed a deep bone bruise in his shin, as noted by Doug Padilla of the Orange County Register. Rendon has been out since the beginning of the month with a shin contusion, though the injury is more serious than initially believed. Manager Phil Nevin explained the situation to reporters (including Padilla), saying that “There’s some significant bleeding inside the bone. This is more significant than we actually thought… We’re going to have to calm him down for a little while.” Nevin didn’t offer a new timetable for return, though MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger indicates that Rendon will be shut down for at least two more weeks.
- Sticking with the Angels, shortstop Zach Neto was scratched from today’s game against the Pirates due to lower back tightness, per Padilla. Andrew Velazquez replaced Neto in the lineup at shortstop today. Padilla noted that Neto was willing to play through the discomfort, but the Angels decided to act cautiously and rest him. Padilla adds that the club is considering sitting him again for tomorrow’s game in order to give him a three day period to rest in conjunction with Monday’s off-day, though Bollinger adds that the club is hoping the issue is minor enough he’ll be back in the lineup tomorrow, per Nevin. The club’s first round pick in last year’s draft, Neto has impressed by not only advancing to the majors in his first professional season but providing solid production with a 110 wRC+ combined with strong defense at shortstop.
- Slugger Yordan Alvarez appears to be nearing a return to the Astros, as he has begun a rehab assignment with the club’s Triple-A affiliate in Sugar Land. Alvarez was expected to begin his rehab assignment last week, but did not appear in a game at Triple-A until this past Wednesday. He’s now appeared in three rehab games, and while it’s unclear when he’ll return to the big league club, his upcoming return is sure to boost the club’s lineup. While he’s been limited to just 57 games this season due to injuries, Alvarez has slashed an incredible .277/.388/.589 with a wRC+ of 167. With Alvarez on the shelf, Corey Julks has been the club’s primary DH in recent weeks.
I am ready for the MLBTR contest, let’s cue it up!
How much is fellow Rendon costing the Angels? Unreal contract situation…
Arte Moreno never learns from his mistakes; no sooner does he get out from under an egregious Puhjols uber long-term contract, what does he do?…He signs the most injury-prone, least motivated player ever, Anthony Rendon, to an 8 year gazillion dollar contract.
A few weeks ago you same people were questioning his desire to play.
Anyway, the Angels hav 119 committed for next year. Do you really believe his contract is the problem?
You don’t think they could have spent $35m better during last offseason?
Obviously yes. Y’all just paid him $105,000,000 over the past three years for a total of 1 bWAR. If that’s not a problem, I’m not sure what is.
They had a lot of money to spend, and Perry misspent most of it.
Maybe he would have misspent that extra money on Verlander or deGrom. The Angels have always been great at mispending money.
I realize U can’t stand Perry but the facts are Elmer was the GM when Arte signed the bum…
Billy was still the GM when the Angels signed Rendon
He was coming off 2 amazing seasons with Nats and 4 straight seasons of at least 597 plate appearances. At the time it was not a bad signing. There was nothing indicative of the disaster the signing has turned into.
I believe there was – his age. Why teams sign players to these huge deals when players are in their 30’s I’ll never know. The Padres will soon learn this lesson the hard way too.
At the time, there were plenty of concerns about that contract due to past injuries and the length + $ amount. …Also the fact that he can’t pitch. I’ll agree that there wasn’t anything indicative of the disaster it’s become, I don’t think anyone thought it would be this bad this fast, but there were some warning signs that it was an unwise investment.
Yes, his history of injuries. He hung around unsigned as well as it seemed no one was interested, especially for what he was asking for. Then the angels come walking in after losing out on Cole. The smart play would’ve been to outbid for Cole whose contract is looking good and was exactly what they needed. They lost local to a NY team. Guaranteed Cole opts out and signs with the Angels for a sweet deal and goes into retirement mode like emetine else does who signs with them.
Every team gets stuck with a terrible contract. It’s like playing the roulette wheel. Unfortunately, for Angel fans it’s been extremely large contracts. It appeared Moreno struck gold after landing Rendon, based on the few previous highly productive seasons. The roulette wheel got him.
History of injuries? In 6 full seasons to that that point he had missed 30+ games one time and it was 5 years prior. He never experienced anything remotely close to what has transpired with Angels.
there were plenty of concerns
======================
I generally downplay stats in a walk year. In his two previous seasons, he hot 24 &25 HRs. a good K/W, and he could play a passable 3B. That makes him a pretty good 3B, but not a great 3B.
And he missed an average of 19 games his last three years. And he figured to have 2-3 good seasons (not great), and 4-5 declining seasons.
It shouldn’t have been this bad, but the entire issue with the contract is that there is not enough upside to offset the downside.
Dodgers, a brilliant organization, offered him a similar contract.
In the 4 seasons prior to the signing Rendon had played in 90% of Nationals games. Your hyperbole is flat out wromg.
He missed an average of 19 games in each of his three previous seasons. If I am paying top dollar, I’d expect more reliability.
L.M.M.F.A.O.
He was in top 25 in the game and top 5 at his position in games played.
He was right at the top in reliability.
Soon Trout, Rendon, Drury, and Adell will be back in time for the playoffs! Rendon is an important part of the playoff run.
Over/under on how long until Alvarez gets injured again?
-1
He’ll break an ankle on a chalk line in pregame.
While the Angels are feeling confident the mariners are now nipping at their heels and Cleveland can’t be counted out either. Despite the injuries Seattle looked great today and could be clicking
I don’t know if it’s just me but I think mlb changed up the baseballs. After the barrage of runs earlier in the week the games I saw the ball was kinda dying to the track what I thought could be homerish. So pitching will be more premium
So Rendon is really hurt. Raise your hand if you questioned his desire?
I hope you learned something. These guys want to play, but sometimes their health won’t permit it.
I totally question the desire of Anthony Rendon; I mean who wouldn’t? I mean bro, if you want to be a Rendon apologist, go right ahead, but don’t ask the rest of us to see the world thru your rose colored glasses.
Me. I never questioned it. You don’t make the major leagues without a work ethic.
When players are unable to play, there is typically a reason. There is bleeding inside his bone.
This is the third straight year Rendon has stunk. I listen to valid complaints. I don’t like them, but I listen. I never believed he was phoning it in.
“Third straight year Rendon has stunk”….It’s very telling that he never had major issues with missing games, until he signed an 8 yr, guaranteed, gazillion dollar contract.
Why, it happens. Funny how Trout neve4 got hurt until he signed his big contract. And in 2020, Rendon led the Angels I. WAR.
The biggest issue with Rendon is not his contract but depending on himi in 2021band 2022. This year no one was depending on Rendon. Unfortunately the move to back Rendon up, didn’t work.
Few things Perry does works.
NO comparison to Trout, you’re only deflecting to Trout because your points are very weak and unsubstantiated. As I remember it, Mike Trout performed extremely well and mostly stayed on the field for close to a DECADE, before he started having yearly injuries. You don’t put up the numbers he’s put up in his career,(including multiple MVPs and All star selections) by spending all your time in the trainer’s room.
“Funny how Trout neve4 got hurt”….You’re comparing a certain future Hall of Famer, in Mike Trout, to the slug known as Anthony Rendon?…Just out of curiosity, are you writing these posts from a room with padded walls?
No one knows what is really going through Rendon’s head. But the point is that he is making his contract regardless of whether he’s playing at an MVP level or if he’s chronically hurt. The motivation to be healthy and to be great just isn’t the same post contract as it was pre contract. Good for him. But stupid for teams to give players in or entering their 30’s this kind of deal.
I’m deflecting. He has bleeding in his bone and people were calling him a slacker. He has had two surgeries. Your deflecting, not me.
He’s had two surgeries and now he has bleeding in his bone.
And I would say the exact opposite of what you are saying is true. Until you get the big contract, you’ll do what#ver it takes not to get hurt. Once you get the big contract, a player doesn’t have to walk on egg shells.
Remember Rendon running full speed into the tarp in Oakland? I call BS.
The bottom line is his numbers suck since he signed with the Angels just like 75 percent of the rest of the big free agent contracts!
His OPS+ is 109. That’s not really sucking. But he’s never on the field and has played pool defense.
I don’t attack player’s character. I don’t dislike players.
He’s a huge disappointment. And the Angels need to have a viable plan B and that’s a tall task, and that hurts the Angels, the Angels have money, the contract doesn’t hurt them too much, keeping that position available for Rendon, does.
Anthony Rendon’s interaction with that fan in Oakland earlier this year told me everything I needed about Anthony Rendon. I’ll leave it at that
Phony Rendony! Totally with you on this Biggar, longtime Angel fan that was disgusted by Phony Rendony’s swipe at that A’s fan. He’s underperformed for multiple consecutive seasons and it’d be silly for any true Angel fan to back this friggin guy.
Jake, you can learn everything you need to know about someone based on a single brief video?
Kelenic really hurt his team and his self with his immature, irrational actions; former Oakland A’s pitcher(currently with Marlins)Jesus Luzardo once did something similar and the A’s lost patience with him and very quickly flipped him to the Marlins, despite him being Oakland’s top prospect.
In your early 20’s you never struck something out of frustration? Baseball players are human too. Seattle fans loved seeing some resemblance of life and emotion, despite the inconvenience his injury created for the team. Regardless, Kelenic’s injury has inspired some life within his teammates for the short term at least.
“Struck something out of frustration”..I’ve never broken parts of my body because I was frustrated…ever…Maybe said a few words I’d like back, but no broken body parts. And I wasn’t sitting on a potentially lucrative, million dollar baseball career. Kelenic is showing he’s got million dollar talent and a 10 cent head. I don’t see him making it in MLB, because this is hardly the first time he’s let his emotions get the best of him.
I doubt he was thinking about money in the bottom of the 9th with the game on the line… if he was I wouldn’t want that mentality on my team. He made a mistake. He admitted it, immediately. He was devastated and embarrassed. Kids make mistakes, other than you of course lol.
Exactly GK – in addition to being young (turned 24y old last week) many forget that JK went straight into the Pros from High School at 18 yrs old. He didn’t learn from his peers in College like the rest of us.
Btw I want to see a young player frustrated because he strikes out in the 9th. Maybe put some padding around the cooler? Haha
LAA’s record with Neto in the lineup vs without is quite something. Let the kid play if they’re serious about making the playoffs. Stop treating him like he’s Rendon.
Stop treating him like Rendon? What does that mean? Does it mean let him decide if he can play?
If so, then treat him exactly like Rendon. If Neto thinks he can play, then play him. Unless a doctor says otherwise, players know their body.
Um…. the dude butted heads with a catcher while sliding at the plate on his stomach which bent his whole back backwards. You or i would be in the hospital.
Don’t forget Profar and Grichuk as possible LF fill-ins for the Mariners. Although Profar so far this season has not been good — I’m sure the Rockies would be happy to give him away just for the salary relief.
I don’t see this as a problem, I feel Moore can do just find. he doesn’t have a full time position because he’s valuable as a backup. Playing in that setting works both for him, and against him. Otherwise with all the more playing time I believe he could become a solid everyday outfielder.
Must be an Angel blog here.
Why? Angel fans find Rendon controversial. I’m sure Ms fans have their reasons for not being more vocal about Kelenic impulse control issues or other M topics.
Many Angels fans rip Rendon because of his “so called” injury issues. I find that absurd. And Angel fans don’t like getting called on it.
The Mariners have 3 rather redundant players in Trammell, Marlowe and I think his name is DeLoach hopefully I got that name correct. All 3 are lefty hitters who can play some center and project to be 4th or 5th outfielder types. Seems like they have someone to play outfield.
Those 3 can play OF, but not at the MLB level for a team trying to be competitive.
Are they trying to be competitive?
Taylor Trammell is an above average CF defender, he just can’t hit.
Kelenic’s injury is a blessing. The guy did nothing in June or July. Going into June, .277/.333/.513. At the the time of the Cooler fight, .252/.320/.439 while striking out in droves.
Amazing April. This team needs a change or two in the lineup and this is a good start.
I personally don’t think Seattle has much hope for the postseason, so I don’t think Kelenic’s injury hurts the team as much as it seems, but the one thing that makes little sense would be for Seattle to trade for a rental outfielder. Jerry himself has suggested the same.
They may very well trade for a controllable player they can move forward with, maybe even two outfielders, but an organization lacking depth can’t really afford to move prospects for short-term advantages.
I know they’re just 3.5 games back, but they need several good teams to slip significantly, and they have been incredibly inconsistent. They’ll also have to shut-down Woo before too long, which will likely mean leaning on another inexperienced arm (likely Hancock).
The way the team plays over the next week will likely dictate whether or not they move Teo. If they shorten the gap more, he’ll probably stay and get the QO. But it still seems more likely they’ll move him and the moves we see will probably be more focused on the future.
And it’s not like we haven’t seen this before. The trade that brought Marco to Seattle was more about the future than it was 2017. The Graveman trade was another. Young players that can/might be helpful now, but would do more for 2024-2025 (and beyond), probably have Jerry & Justin’s intentions.
Lol there is approximately a zero percent chance the Mariners trade Teo. They’re well within reach of the playoffs and easily have the best rotation in baseball
Your ‘Lol’ has been noted.
They’re 5.5 games back now and don’t have the tie-breakers against the teams in front of them for the third wild card.
Let’s see how well your comment ages.
The Graveman trade brought back Abraham Toro and Joe Smith…. That was a bad trade at the time and ended up just as bad.
I don’t think it’s fair for all of us on the couch , questioning Rondon’s work ethic or desire etc.
unless you know the man personally.
Having said that , must be at the top or close to worst ever FA signing in history
The Angels have done worse than that. He did lead the team in WAR in 2020. And he has three more years to be the worst. His lifetime OPS with the Angels is 109.
He has to go some to beat Josh Hamilton.
Injuries are a fact of baseball life, who gets healthiest by some of a significant run could impact a teams chance of making a playoff push.
The M’s being a curious bunch, How do you make comparisons with last years team? The personnel is not all that different, Teo. who replaces Hanniger who is close in being an equivalent, Kelenic who has taken over still has his struggles. Frazier gone along with his poor hitting is much the same as Wong. So what’s the difference out in the field? The pitching maybe lesser than before not a big difference here. The only time they get inspired is when they play Toronto only then they can magically hit the ball. What does that tell you? maybe the crack can get wider? between the sun, and the rain which is hard to find these days a rainbow will show itself with the pot of gold at the end of it. That’s how this should play out for the M’s or so you would prefer. If you do recall last year they were spinning there wheels in much the same way only to say how will this turn out?
Enough of the negative talk, Arte offered, Anthony accepted, I say turn the Moose Loose!
I think the Angels will have a platoon at third. What they need is to get Drury back and bench Rengifo. Not bat him lead off for Pete’s sake.
“Are they trying to be competitive?” …What makes you say that? You haven’t been paying attention to Seattle lately?
Anyone of those outfielders proposed would be a good move, considering. It would give one more leverage when considering how to move on or options with Teo. but not limited to finding an adequate replacement for Kelenic who himself is of some speculation. Those who might come up are not replacement material at this time so something has to be done. At this or later preferable all the sooner. I do have my preferences but they would seem to come with different trade values. A solid outfielder could change the chemistry for the better with little wagered.
Last nights game was totally winnable but of course you know that. After last night game I know I don’t like the bunt to advance the runner, especially in the situation the M’s were in. Lets look at this, because of the Jays pitcher temporary wildness two M’s base runners were able to make it on bases, now first, and second are occupied with the leadoff hitter Crawford at bat it was decided to bunt the ball of course the Jays were fully expecting this so little chance of Crawford getting to first safe. One out is gone. Given Crawford was up to bat he is probably the best on the team at working a count I only mention this because of where I’m going next. What would happen instead of a bunt to go with a double steal? maybe the odds are better doing this then a sacrifice bunt which you’re giving up an out. If you may recall Moore was on second so the right person was on base for the attempted steal but by doing so you may catch the Jays not expecting this especially if you show bunt but maybe also you catch their third basemen out and away from third base. So lets say Moore does get caught you still have the runner on second where as a hit will most likely score the run at least you might tie the game up. Lets say you have a successful double steal then you own three outs which your odds of scoring go up, the not good part about this is Julio who was up next with a 244 Ba. then Suarez with his 225 Ba. I don’t recall who would be next up to bat, but getting that hit is no easy thing but I wouldn’t have taken the bat out of Crawford hands with the double steal being on.
Mr. Deeds: crap writer.
“To make matters worse for the Mariners, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times relays that, according to manager Scott Servais, Kelenic isn’t expected back until early September.”
“That” shouldn’t have a comma after it. It pretty much never should. PLEASE learn how to use commas or find an editor that does, MLBTR. Because this guy stinks.
To make matters worse for the Mariners, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times relays that according to manager Scott Servais, Kelenic isn’t expected back until early September.