Mariners utilityman Sam Haggerty suffered a torn Achilles tendon while trying to run down a deep fly-ball with the team’s Triple-A affiliate over the weekend, general manager Justin Hollander announced to reporters Monday (X link via Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times). The injury will cost him the remainder of the 2024 season.
Haggerty opened the season on the injured list, was optioned to Triple-A in mid-April, recalled in late April, and then optioned back to Tacoma just last week after a cold spell at the plate. Playing center field for Tacoma, he was tracking a hard-hit fly ball that dropped just beyond his reach. Haggerty, running hard toward the gap, climbed/ran up the outfield wall to slow himself down and crumbled to the warning track upon landing (video link via MiLB Mariners on X). He was in clear agony while being checked on by teammates and the training staff.
The 29-year-old Haggerty has played in just eight big league games this season and went 1-for-15 in that time, but he’s been an oft-used bench/utility player for manager Scott Servais when healthy in recent years. A shoulder injury, a groin strain and a concussion have limited his time on the field even before this gruesome Achilles tear, but Haggerty hit .255/.342/.382 in 135 games from 2022-23, appearing at all three outfield spots and every infield position other than shortstop.
In parts of six big league seasons, Haggerty is a .232/.312/.351 hitter with nine homers and 33 steals (in 36 attempts) through 477 plate appearances. His right-handed bat has been overmatched by fellow righties (.209/.278/.272), but he’s pounded left-handed opponents at a .263/.355/.452 pace in his big league career.
That the injury occurred in the minor leagues is particularly unfortunate for Haggerty, as he’ll be placed on the minor league injured list rather than the MLB injured list for the time being. If the Mariners want to free up a 40-man roster spot at any point, they can recall Haggerty to the majors and place him on the 60-day IL, where he’d accrue big league service time. Haggerty entered the year with 3.044 years of service and agreed to a $900K salary to avoid arbitration this offseason. He’s under club control through the 2026 season and would be arb-eligible again this winter. Coming off a season-ending injury after only 16 plate appearances, he’d very likely command that exact same salary again for the 2025 campaign.
Call Karen rodgers, he has the secret sauce apparently
Ham Swaggerty down for the count.
Travis swaggerty must be Sam’s cousin
Bob Swaggerty must be their uncle.
Bummer.
They need Aaron Bummer at this point.
I was just a kid first time I ever heard of such a thing : Bobby Tolan.
Love me some Bobby Tolan!
SHEESH. That sucks. Probably the end of the road for him, here
Dadgum pitch clock!
That’s not good. Samad’s probably going to see more time then.
DylanMooreIsAShortstop
DylanMooreispreferablyasecondbaseman
Dylan Moore has done an outstanding job in JP Crawford’s absence. Gotta keep him in the lineup now that JP is back. Moore has 1.4 WAR already, which isn’t bad for a backup player.
SODO WHAT A GAME HUH BRAH?
Great win! We have been looking for that “statement” win, good to see us come from behind against a good team. Need to get some of that 1 run mojo back.
That’s a bummer. Definitely feel for Sam, he’s had trouble sticking on the roster since his amazing 2022.
Since he’s in triple-a, wouldn’t that be Tacoma’s Sam Haggerty.
You’ll never see Sam haggerty in a mariner uniform again thank God
I am okay with that for the most part.