After an initial period of understandable concern by the Mariners, J.P. Crawford has been listed as day-to-day with a bruised right knee.
Saturday was already going badly for the Mariners, after Marco Gonzales had been placed on the 15-day injured list with a left forearm strain. They were being blown out by the Rangers and set to yet again fall to .500 on the season.
However, the sporting gods hadn’t quite finished having fun with the long-suffering Mariners fans just yet. It was also decided J.P. Crawford would be forced to leave the game in the eighth inning, with an injury.
Crawford’s injury happened while trying to make a tag, as he collided with base runner Leody Taveras, who was sliding into second base. Their knees banged into each other, leaving both players in obvious pain.
Nothing serious
There was understandable initial concern about how serious Crawford’s injury was. Fortunately for everyone involved, he only suffered a deep bruise.
As a result, the 2020 Gold Glove Award winner has been listed as day-to-day. He will theoretically return on Tuesday for the first of a two-game series with the Padres, but Seattle may take a more cautious approach in a week where they have two off days.
To say the Mariners dodged a bullet with Crawford would be considered an understatement. He has been one of the team’s few reliable bats during an unpredictable and frustrating season to date.
A potential career year
The 2013 16th overall draft pick leads Mariners players in OBP and walks, while also being tied for the team lead in WAR as of June 3. (Along with Jarred Kelenic.) He is on course for single-season career-highs in RBI and walks.
Defensively, you can argue Crawford hasn’t been quite at the same level as in previous seasons. However, he is still a quality shortstop who doesn’t often let his teammates down.
In general, the 28-year-old has been mostly durable during his time in Seattle. Certainly the Mariners will need this to continue to be the case, for one of the more important players on their roster.
How would you sum up Crawford’s impact this season, and how important he is to the Mariners in general? Let us know in the comments section below.
