Mariners woes deepen as Julio Rodríguez heads to the Injured List

The Mariners are now at a critical point of the season, with the offense in a bad place and missing three main players in the lineup.

At the moment, every time it feels like things can’t get any worse for the Seattle Mariners, they find a way to prove this line of thinking wrong. To say this ball club is cursed right now, would be a significant understatement.

The situation surrounding the Mariners was demoralizing enough following Monday night’s late collapse and 3-1 loss to the lowly Angels. For the first time this season, the usually positive and upbeat Scott Servais sounded defeated.

The Mariners were on a run of 9-18 in their past 27 games, seen their 10.0 game lead at the top of the AL West disappear, and having lost nine of 10 series. Well, you can now make it 10 series out of 11, after Tuesday night’s 5-1 loss to the Angels. The Angels.

Not that fans are surprised right now, with the Mariners having already lost another series to the Angels during this poor run of form. Add in seemingly unlosable series losses to the Miami Marlins and Toronto Blue Jays, and it’s looking extremely desperate right now for Servais and his players.

Mariners pitching needs help

The pitching continues to do its best to keep this ball club in contention. Yes they gave up five runs on Tuesday night, but overall they lead the Majors — not the American League, the Majors — in lowest ERA, WHIP and opposing batting average as of Wednesday morning.

We appreciate the following has been repeated ad nauseam, but this is pure and simple about the offensive side of the game for the Mariners. The worst batting average in the Majors, most strikeouts — and at a record-breaking pace — and the third-fewest runs scored.

The majority of the lineup is underperforming, with the likes of Ty France, J.P. Crawford and Julio Rodríguez all on course for career-worst offensive seasons. And it’s of particular relevance to mention these three names,

After being placed on outright waivers, France has now cleared and been designated for assignment. This is the same player who just two years ago was selected to the All-Star Game and was one of the best first basemen in the American League.

Crawford has been sent to the 10-day Injured List, due to the hairline pinky fracture he suffered in his first at-bat during Monday’s series opener versus the Angels. Just last season he had a career year, which included leading the Mariners in OBP and finishing second in WAR.

Then we turn to Rodríguez, who had seemed to avoid serious injury after crashing into the wall on Sunday against the Astros, but of course has now also landed on the 10-day Injured List with an ankle sprain. After a sensational first two seasons in the Majors which included two All-Star selections and MVP votes, this year has seen him regress dramatically with his bat production.

An unfamiliar look to the lineup

Due to the loss of three previously productive bats in the lineup, the Mariners have had to recall several players. This includes Tyler Locklear, Cade Marlowe and Jonatan Clase.

As a result — fair or not — the lineup looks largely uninspiring, and certainly not one which compliments arguably the best rotation in franchise history. However, unless the Mariners can show some winning form soon, the suspicion is the front office will not aim to add any significant bats prior to the July 30 3 p.m. PT trade deadline.

Between now and then, all the manager can do is rely on who he does have. Speaking to the media following Tuesday’s game, Servais said:

“We’ve got a different look to our team with some new faces on the roster today. They’ll get the opportunity to play, and we’ve got to get the most out of them.”

If nothing else, at least the Mariners remain tied in first place after the Astros also lost on Tuesday night, to the Oakland Athletics. Not that this is much consolation, especially as falling out of first place from this point onwards will leave them on the outside looking in on a wild card spot.

• Mariners complete strong road trip but Matt Brash causes concern
• Key Takeaways from Seattle Storm’s Thrilling Preseason Match
• FIFA Empowers Afghan Women Footballers with Historic Regulation Change
• Seahawks 2026 Draft: Analysis of Key Picks and Strategies
• Key Stats from Seattle Storm vs Golden State Valkyries Preseason Clash

Close to now or never

This is a critical time for the Mariners, and Servais knows they need to turn things around sooner than later. He said:

“We’re going through it right now. These things happen throughout the course of the season, the ups and downs. We’re going to keep grinding through it with a couple of our key players out of the lineup right now and some new faces in there. Going to give these guys a chance to play, and everybody’s got to step it up a little bit.”

The Mariners will send Luis Castillo to the mound for Wednesday afternoon’s series finale versus the Angels. Then it’s a day off before travelling to Chicago for a series they dare not lose, against a White Sox ball club with easily the worst record in the Majors.

Surely this run of bad form can’t continue can it? Do you have faith in the Mariners getting back on track soon, or have you already given up hope of a playoff spot this season? Let us know in the comments section below.