Mariners second baseman Dee Gordon was hit in the right wrist by a J.A. Happ fastball during the third inning of tonight’s 3-1 loss to the Yankees, causing Gordon to be removed from the game. Seattle manager Scott Servais told reporters (including Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times and MLB.com’s Greg Johns) after the game that Gordon would receive more tests on his wrist tomorrow, as initial x-rays weren’t conclusive. Speaking to Divish, Johns, and other media after the game, Gordon said his wrist was “very sore,” and had some harsh words about Happ’s pitch location.
After a disappointing first season in Seattle that included an ill-advised position switch to center field, Gordon seemed to be back on track in 2019 after returning to his original second base position. Gordon entered Thursday’s action hitting .304/.327/.406 through 149 plate appearances, plus 10 steals in 11 attempts. Gordon has also already hit three home runs, a startling figure for a player who has never hit more than four long balls over an entire season.
Servais intimated that some type of roster move would need to be made before tomorrow’s game in Boston, as backup infielder Dylan Moore is also battling a wrist injury and will undergo his own set of tests. Moore replaced Gordon on Thursday, though had to be himself removed for pinch-hitter Jay Bruce since Moore was feeling pain while swinging the bat. The chain reaction of position switches led to Edwin Encarnacion making his first career appearance as a second baseman, and then getting an injury scare himself after Encarnacion made a diving attempt at a ground ball.
With Gordon and Moore each hurting, it stands to reason that one or both of J.P. Crawford or Shed Long could get the call from Triple-A Tacoma to fill the holes in Seattle’s infield. Crawford already may be the choice, as Lauren Smith of the Tacoma News Tribune reported that Crawford was scratched from tonight’s Rainiers’ lineup.
Crawford would be making his Mariners debut after being the young centerpiece of the five-player trade between the M’s and Phillies last December that saw Jean Segura go to Philadelphia and Carlos Santana (temporarily) come to Seattle. Crawford has thus far acquitted himself well in his new organization, with a .319/.420/.457 slash line through 138 Triple-A plate appearances. Long, ranked by MLB.com as the 12th-best prospect in the Mariners’ farm system, has also been hitting well at Triple-A this season and would be making his Major League debut if a promotion is indeed in the cards.
Long and Crawford have both looked great in AAA, Mariners should just trade Beckham for whatever they can get and let them play.
Tim Beckham’s defense is losing games for the M’s. In fact, overall team defense is too.
The pitch was inside, but not that far inside. The half swing is what put his hand in position to be hit. Mouthing off at the pitcher is immature.
Totally agree. In a close game like that it is obvious that it wasn’t intentional. Happ is a pitcher that relies on location and soft contact. Is he just supposed to not throw inside?
I havent seen the play, but with Dee’s speed, 1B can turn into 2B real quick if he stayed in the game. I doubt Happ did this on purpose. Plus Happ has a clean track record. I like Gordon. Not happy to hear about his reaction.
He never said anything straight at Happ. He did a lot of cussing but most were one word and not looking at anyone. You can’t blame the guy for being upset he was going good then this. I am sure when he calms down he will be fine. He also never said it was near his head just too far in.
They pulled Crawford out of his AAA game shortly after it happened. They figure he will be on a 9:20 flight to Boston. Hopefully he is not out long should be someone in consideration for an All Star appearance. Doubt he makes first ballot but will be worthy. Could be the fans choice or an injury fill in. Not enough people see Seattle play.
There was an interview after the game where he talked about Happ and his displeasure with the inside pitch.
“I was pissed off. It was the second time he threw up by my head.”
“You need to get the ball, you need to get the ball the f— down. That’s twice. If you can’t throw that pitch, don’t throw it.”
The ball was nowhere near his head. If he can’t stop whining then he shouldn’t play baseball.
Yankees in Seattle and a BB fight. Make sure Judge is there. He can stand in the middle looking around going you guys are stupid. Nobody throws a punch of course. They just run out and look at each other.
The BP shows up 5 mins later and grabs someone. Then they say we will meet at Ruth Criss later tonight and separate. At the restaurant they sit and laugh about the fight. I love BB fights they are funny.
I get that Gordon is angry to be hurt, but he’s crazy if he thinks that pitch was near his head.
Never said it was near his head. Don’t put words in his mouth. He said he didn’t like the pitch selection. It was inside but not too far. Like clout said the check swing was the reason he got hit.
Said, “It was the second time he threw up by my head…” according to Divish.
Hes out of the loop but its everyone else who is wrong
I mean it’s a direct quote from him but ok
Three home runs already? Yep, the ball is juiced.
Yes it is…..
Edwin almost hurting himself trying for a ground ball! That is too funny!
See a trade with the Brewers for Saladino or Orf for Hanigan lol coming!!!
What are you talking about?
Milwaukee better find pitching…beating up on the hapless Mets and Nationals is fools gold.
Gordon basically said Happ threw at him twice and that it was intentional. Looking st the replay, it was in but it wasn’t going to hit him until Gordon moved into it. Sucks he’s banged up but that happens during the game and it surely wasn’t on purpose to hit him.
This little diva
It’s baseball.
There are pitches inside, outside, up, down, fast, off-speed and even some right down the middle.
The entire purpose of a pitcher is to prevent the batter from getting on base.
I wish some of these guys could get just one AB against someone like Gibson or Drysdale lol
“You can’t throw that pitch. You’ve got to keep the ball down. I got a family.”
Sounds like Dee needs to go play t-ball, where he can place the ball in HIS desired location in order to ensure his own success. Plus, when he cries after the game no one really notices.
Did Dee care about his family when he was caught with PEDs?
haha good point. Hes worried about him and his family having to downgrade to an 8 bedroom mansion if he were unable to continue playing
Exactly what he is. It’s baseball.. pitcher’s are supposed to back hitters off the plate. He should get a new job since he can’t handle the fundamentals
I don’t understand why teams decide to move gold glovers to a different position knowing the incumbent is worse, eg Dee Gordon Alex Rodriguez, Placido Palanco
He made it very clear that he has a family so he’s automatically more important based on that nugget
Now he can spend more time with ’em.
Maybe if Happ could use something to help his command and control…
He’s had good command almost his whole career. Batters get hit when pitching inside, is baseball. You didn’t see Arron judge get at Junis for the royals for costing him 7 weeks of the season last year right ?