Mariners have no concerns about J.P. Crawford shoulder issue

Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson provided an update on J.P. Crawford, whose participation has been limited so far in Cactus League play.

This is a significant year for J.P. Crawford, who is more than likely entering his final season as starting shortstop for the Mariners. The combination of his declining defense, being in the last year of his current contract and the emergence of Colt Emerson points towards his exit from Seattle after the conclusion of the 2026 campaign.

There’s little doubt Crawford is focused on this season being a special one and making every second count. However, he’s been conspicuous by his absence since starting the Cactus League opener versus the Padres last Friday, when he went 0-for-2 in two at-bats and had a couple of assists from the field.

No need to worry about absence of J.P. Crawford

Mariners manager Dan Wilson provided an update on Crawford’s situation when talking to the media on Wednesday ahead of the game against the Royals. Wilson said:

“He’s just working through a little bit … getting acclimated and getting his shoulder back to where it needs to be, so I think he’s in good shape. Just taking it slow. We have some time, so just being cautious and conservative with him is what we’re doing right now.”

Crawford is set to probably begin hitting again next week and it was noted that he dealt with a similar shoulder issue last year. Wilson said:

“I think a lot of guys deal with stuff year after year. So like I said, we have some time here and we’re going to be able to take advantage of that time.”

Certainly it does seem like much ado about nothing, but understandably people will feel more assured once Crawford actually returns to the field. As the longest tenured Mariners and one of the clubhouse leaders, he’s well respected by people both within and outside of the organization.

The 2020 Gold Glove Award winner is underrated for how clutch he’s proven to be over the years, both in Seattle specifically and the majors as a whole. He is a career .373 hitter with the bases loaded, while his 146 wRC+ in high leverage situations is tied for ninth all time with a certain Mike Trout. (Although, as per Ryan Clarke of Lookout Landing, we should add the caveat that FanGraphs only started tracking wRC+ in 2002.)

Plenty of highs and lows with the Mariners

As much as Crawford has been criticized a lot over the year in Seattle, it hasn’t always been fair or understandable. His 5.2 bWAR in 2023 was the best ever by a Mariners shortstop with the exception of Alex Rodriguez, as he set single season highs with 19 home runs, 65 RBI, 94 walks, a .818 OPS and 133 OPS+.

However, the polarizing perspectives of the 31-year-old returned to the forefront the following year in 2024, when he had arguably the worst season of his nine seasons in the majors. He set career lows with a .202/.304/.321 slash line, .625 OPS and .286 rOBA, although in fairness his productivity was compromised by two stints on the injured list with a right oblique strain and then a right hand fracture.

Fortunately for the Mariners we’re dealing with a player who has a superior mental fortitude, resulting in a tremendous bounceback campaign last season. More driven than ever to prove people wrong, Crawford hit 12 home runs and 58 RBI, drew 74 walks and had a .111 OPS+, which were all the second-highest of his Major League career.

The 2026 campaign is an extremely important one for the Mariners as it marks their 50th season since joining Major League Baseball in 1977. And you can count of Crawford doing everything possible to leave the ideal parting gift, by helping the franchise earn their first ever World Series berth and maybe … just maybe … a championship.

Photos court​‌esy of Tim Rogers Photography

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