The Mariners came back home and handled business Friday night, beating the Los Angeles Angels 6-2 behind a workhorse outing from George Kirby and a power display from Cole Young and Dominic Canzone.
Kirby, called “Furious George” in the club’s report, went the distance over eight innings. He allowed two earned runs, struck out seven and walked one, giving Seattle exactly the kind of steady start that lets the offense breathe. The bats did the rest, with Young launching two towering home runs and Canzone adding another.
Seattle will be back on the mound tonight at 6:40 PM with Bryan Woo set to face Angels right-hander José Soriano.
The Mariners also made a roster move, placing Rob Refsnyder on the 10-day IL with right knee inflammation. The move comes as Refsnyder has been struggling at the plate.
That offensive slide is part of a broader problem for Seattle, which has been carrying one of the worst slugging percentages in the league during its recent downturn.
There was one bright spot on the prospect front: MLB ranked Mariners top prospect Kade Anderson as the No. 1 pitching prospect in all of baseball.
Elsewhere in the league, the New York Mets said infielder Marcus Semien has been diagnosed with a Grade 3 hip flexor strain and is expected to miss at least 4-6 weeks. The Houston Astros placed outfielder Jeremy Peña on the 10-day IL with a mild left calf strain.
The Texas Rangers signed right-hander Chris Paddack to a major league deal and added him to their active roster. The Cincinnati Reds plan to activate right-hander Hunter Greene this weekend for his 2026 season debut.
The Minnesota Twins put reliever Anthony Banda on the 15-day IL with a left lat strain, and he is expected to miss multiple months. The Athletics placed outfielder Tyler Soderstrom on the 10-day IL with a left hip impingement and shortstop Jacob Wilson on the 10-day IL because of right thumb inflammation.
The Toronto Blue Jays said outfielder Addison Barger has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in his back and will be shut down for multiple weeks. In New York, Jorge Polanco is expected to take over as designated hitter when the Mets activate him from the IL in the coming weeks.
The Chicago Cubs picked up their league-leading 10th walk-off win of the season on Seiya Suzuki’s deep single.
In Other News...
Former Teammate Just Raised A Disturbing New Question About Josh Naylor
The June 28 matchup between the Mariners and Guardians already had some edge to it when Josh Naylor and Austin Hedges, former teammates in Cleveland, got into a shouting match on the field. But the scene took on a different tone once former teammate Stone Garrett publicly revived old allegations tied to Naylors time in the Miami Marlins minor league system, adding a jarring off-field layer to a confrontation that had started in the heat of the game.
Those accusations point back to reported events from 2016 and have long carried uncomfortable baggage around Naylors reputation away from the batters box. Garretts comments have now put a fresh spotlight on that history, and with Naylor now a key part of Seattles lineup, the Mariners are left dealing with the broader context as much as the baseball itself. [Read more 🡒]
Colt Emerson's Slump Has Mariners Facing A Decision Fans Won't Ignore
Colt Emerson arrived in the majors with the sort of early energy that can make a young player look like he belongs before the league has fully adjusted. Since June, though, the Mariners have seen the rough edge of the learning curve, with more strikeouts and more trouble when breaking pitches start finishing their paths. For a club trying to sort out both its infield and its larger rhythm, Emersons bat has become one of those small decisions that can feel larger than it should.
His talent and approach still give Seattle reasons to stay patient, because young hitters do not always move in a straight line and Emersons attitude has helped keep the conversation from turning sour. Even so, the Mariners have to balance development against the need for clean production, and every start he gets now feels like part of a bigger evaluation of where he fits next. The question hanging over the roster is less about whether he can help someday than how long the team is willing to let him work through this stretch in the spotlight. [Read more 🡒]
Mariners Are Sending A Concerning Message With These Rest Decisions
The Mariners latest lineup shuffle is about more than just keeping bodies fresh. Cal Raleigh and Luke Raley have both been getting rest as Seattle manages minor injuries and general fatigue, with manager Dan Wilson and general manager Justin Hollander each offering updates on where those players stand. Randy Arozarena has also been handled carefully since coming off the injured list, getting time at designated hitter to cut down on the physical wear as the club tries to keep its regulars available through the homestand.
Cole Wilcoxs return from Triple-A Tacoma and Josh Simpsons trip back down were the sort of roster move that can get lost in the shuffle, but it fits the broader picture: Seattle is weighing short-term health against the risk of overextending key contributors. The concern for the Mariners is not just who is out there today, but whether all this maintenance is a sign the team is already managing a roster thats been pushed close to its limit. [Read more 🡒]