The Mariners have placed shortstop J.P. Crawford on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain, per a team announcement. Infielder Leo Rivas’ contract has been selected from Triple-A Tacoma, and he’ll take Crawford’s spot on the roster. Righty Gregory Santos was transferred from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL in a corresponding move. More specifically, Crawford tells Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times that he’s dealing with a Grade 1 strain (X link).
Crawford was scratched from yesterday’s game after experiencing tightness in his right oblique. He was sent for an MRI that revealed the strain. The Mariners haven’t provided a timetable for his return, but even Grade 1 strains — the least severe — of an oblique can sideline players for upwards of a month. Manager Scott Servais said prior to today’s game that utilityman Dylan Moore will be in line for the bulk of the shortstop reps while Crawford is on the shelf (X link via Divish).
The timing of Crawford’s injury is unfortunate. He’d gotten out to a slow start in 2024 but had just begun to turn the tides, hitting safely in nine of his past ten games and batting .275/.383/.360 during that span. He’s still hitting just .198/.296/.302 on the whole but had clearly been trending in the right direction prior to sustaining the injury.
Crawford’s absence will cost the Mariners their everyday leadoff man and shortstop. He’s emerged as a consistent presence atop the lineup, slashing .262/.352/.384 from 2021-23 while playing sound defense at shortstop (where he won a Gold Glove in 2020). Swapping him out for the 31-year-old Moore is likely a downgrade on both sides of the ball.
While Moore has plenty of experience at shortstop — and at nearly every position on the diamond — it’s his weakest position by measure of both Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Average. Moore is a .217/.344/.398 hitter since 2022 (118 wRC+), but that production has come with the benefit of being heavily platooned; he won’t have that luxury in an everyday role and figures to face plenty of right-handers, against whom he’s just a .198/.302/.368 hitter.
Rivas, 26, is receiving his first call to the bigs. The Mariners are his third career organization, as he was originally signed by the Angels as a teenager and has also spent time with the Reds. He’s out to a strong start in Triple-A Tacoma, where he’s posted a .308/.422/.462 slash in 66 trips to the plate. Getting on base has never been an issue for Rivas in the minors, where he touts a career .378 OBP. He lacks power, however, evidenced by a career-high of seven homers and a lifetime .106 ISO (slugging minus average). Divish notes that Servais touted Rivas’ defense multiple times as a reason that he was given the call in the wake of Crawford’s injury.
The best laid plans of mice and men . . .
Well, I will wait for today’s score before chsnging my predictions.
Go Mariners!
@Fred Park
My predictions are the M’s make it to the WS this year.
@Old York
Me tool
*too*
Me tree., I mean me three.
Only if Dylan Moore is not or starting SS for any length of time.
I’ve got problems with mice too Fred
York, if the M’s make the World Series this year, me, my dad, and my grandpa would finally be able to experience the fall classic for the first time with our home team
Every single year I’m happy if we make a wild card appearance I never think past pennant
Hows about having France play third, and Moore play Ist. and Rojas play short. Well that’s settled.
France is slower than a 40 year old steroid enhanced bonds, he would have no range for 3rd
France has some experience at third, but he was not good at it. Dylan Moore has filled in a few times at first, but has very little experience there. Josh Rojas has played a little shortstop, but not in the past couple years.
Then that sounds perfect. Urias did play third yesterday so were back with Moore playing short. France stays at 1st.
F
Not only for losing our lead off hitter but I guess we won’t be seeing santos debut (for a while)
The 60-day IL is retroactive to 25 March. He wasn’t going to return before the end of May, anyway.
How about not letting Moore play at all?! He is a terrible hitter. Always has been, always will be. Give Rivas a shot. If he hits well, let him play.
I completely agree, even though I didn’t want Rivas to get called up. Moore is literal garbage the only reason we use him is because he plays every position. I wanted Cole young to get a small cup of coffee since he is our SS or 2B of the future
Dylan Moore is not garbage. Who talks about someone else like that? You are personally amazing? You must be. I like what Dylan Moore brings to the table. He has played well at 2b this year can play Anywhere on the diamond, which EVERY team needs, is a very good base runner and has some pop at the plate. Not ideal, but Dylan is not garbage. Go M’s!
On stats his around 100 obs+ seems great right? Wow, he is actually a league average hitter! For years every time he comes to the plate he wants to drive the ball over the fence, so he is Mr. 1st pitch fly ball and gives the pitcher a favor. He mainly hits homers and doubles when it’s garbage time and he is relieving a starter
I actually have a higher opinion of Moore than most. He does look better up at the plate lately I always thought because of his quick reflexes he could become a good hitter if more attention was paid to him. but that seems to be less important than his glove work. There was an article recently on him about him earning more playing time ⌚ Well now he’s going to get it let’s see finally what he can do with it.