The Seattle Mariners will be without their starting shortstop for the time being.
The Mariners announced on Monday that they're placing All-Star shortstop J.P. Crawford on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to June 6) with a right hand contusion and are calling up infielder Ryan Bliss from Triple-A Tacoma to fill his spot on the active roster.
This news on Crawford comes after he was drilled in the right hand by a 95.6 mph fastball from Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Framber Valdez on Friday during the third inning. X-rays on the shortstop's hand, however, came back negative, but he has not played since.
With Crawford on the shelf, rookie phenom Colt Emerson is expected to assume the full-time duties at shortstop. Crawford's injury also comes at a time when he was beginning to heat up at the plate.
Over his last 10 games, the 31-year-old was slashing .317/.383/.634 with four home runs, six RBI, and an OPS of 1.017. On the season, Crawford is batting .228/.356/.409 with 10 homers, 23 RBI, and a .765 OPS in 55 games.
Seattle is hoping that his IL stint won't be too long for their starting shortstop, especially after losing three out of their last four games and dropping two out of three to the aforementioned Tigers. The Mariners have also been without All-Star catcher Cal Raleigh, who has been on the IL since May 15 with a right oblique strain.
The Mariners enter Monday with a slim 1.5 game lead in the weak American League West division at 34-32. They begin a three-game series tonight against the Baltimore Orioles.
