The Mariners’ injury problems got uglier Thursday night in Anaheim, and two more position players exited against the Angels.
Julio Rodríguez left in the third inning after taking a throw from Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel off the back of his helmet during the bottom of the first. Rodríguez had reached on a walk from Walbert Ureña, then tried to advance when Dominic Canzone grounded into what appeared to be a routine 3-4-3 double play. Schanuel’s throw hit Rodríguez in the back of the helmet, and while Rodríguez kept running and slid into third with a smile and celebration, he was soon seen doubled over in pain.
He remained in the game after a visit from the training staff, long enough for Ureña to hit Randy Arozarena with a pitch, but the inning ended shortly after when Josh Naylor grounded into an inning-ending double play on the second pitch of his at-bat. Rodríguez stayed in for the defensive half of the next inning, then was gone from the dugout during the bottom of the second. By the third, Victor Robles had replaced him in center field.
The Mariners have not yet announced Rodríguez’s status, though it appears he may not have cleared concussion protocol after being struck squarely by Schanuel’s throw. Schanuel’s arm ranks in the 11th percentile for arm strength, which at least raises the possibility that the play looked and sounded worse than it was.
Robles also exited after taking a pitch from Ureña, and this one clearly stung. Ureña hit him with a 98 mph sinker on the forearm, leaving Robles bent over in obvious pain.
He stayed in for the rest of that inning, which lasted only one out, and then played the defensive half of the fourth. But in the fifth, he was replaced in the batting order by Weston Wilson, with Luke Raley sliding into center field and Wilson - more of an infield utility option - taking over in right.
The team has not provided an update on Robles either. The story will be updated as more is learned about both injuries.
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