After the Seattle Mariners initially advised J.P. Crawford was okay, Ryan Bliss has been recalled from Triple-A Tacoma to replace him.
It turns out that J.P. Crawford isn’t okay after all, after being forced to leave Friday’s game versus the Tigers due to being hit on the right hand by a wayward 95.6 mph heater from Framber Valdez. Initially the Mariners said the shortstop had avoided anything serious, with X-rays coming back negative. Now though, he’s headed to the 10-day Injured List with a right hand contusion, retroactive to June 6.
This is not to suggest the injury is suddenly of a serious nature, but just having Crawford go to the IL at all, is frustrating for a Mariners team which has suffered far too many injury issues already this season. It’s almost a who’s who of key personnel including at one time or other, the likes of Cal Raleigh, Brendan Donovan, Bryce Miller, Matt Brash and Gabe Speier. Ryan Bliss has been recalled from Triple-A Tacoma to replace the 2020 Gold Glove.
Admittedly, Crawford’s defense has not been great this season up to this point, highlighted by ranking tied-last at shortstop in DRS, third-worst in OAA and second-worst in defensive fWAR. In this respect, Colt Emerson will take over duties at the position during his absence and the Mariners should be fine. Where they will miss him though, is in the lineup.
J.P. Crawford’s bat has really helped the M’s in 2026
Crawford has produced a .766 OPS, 121 OPS+ and .340 rOBA, which all project to be the second-best of his 10 years in the majors. He has been particularly effective when batting at the top of the lineup, as evidenced by a .278/.396/.539 slash line and .935 OPS. In this respect, the hope is that his absence will indeed be short-term.
What’s interesting is that the previous time Crawford was injured during spring training, the Mariners similarly said his right shoulder inflammation was nothing serious. That it was just a repeat of an issue from around the same time the previous year. And yet he subsequently opened the 2026 campaign on the 10-day IL, before returning in early April.
In any event, Bliss will now look to make the most of his opportunity, with just one appearance so far for the Mariners in 2026, going 0-for-2 on Mar. 28 versus the Guardians. In total he has played 45 games for the M’s, batting .210 with 11 runs, three homers, 12 RBI, seven stolen bases and a .642 OPS. In 51 games this season in Tacoma, he’s batting .204 with 13 runs, 11 doubles, one home run, 15 RBI and nine stolen bases.
Even though Crawford has indicated a desire to finish his career with the Mariners, the thinking is this will be his final season in Seattle. He’s respected as a leader and has even offered to move to third base this year to facilitate Emerson moving to shortstop full-time earlier than planned. He’s the longest-tenured current Mariners, having been with the team since being traded from Philadelphia in December of 2018.
Photos courtesy of Tim Rogers Photography
- Mariners place J.P. Crawford on IL with right hand contusion
- WNBA Game Recap: Storm Struggles Against Lynx
- Mariners avoid another injury issue after J.P. Crawford hit by pitch
- Mariners Home Run Derby to feature Ichiro and Mike Cameron
- Mariners win-streak ends as George Kirby struggles in 7-1 loss
Discover more from Cascadiasports.net
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
