The Mariners sent reliever Connor Sadzeck to the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a flexor mass in his right elbow, per Greg Johns of MLB.com. Sadzeck will be out “at least a couple weeks,” Johns writes. His roster spot went to right-hander Andrew Moore, whom they recalled from Double-A Arkansas. Moore started the Mariners’ game against the Astros on Tuesday.
The injury to Sadzeck will deprive free-falling Seattle and its shaky bullpen of one of most utilized options for the time being. The 27-year-old Sadzeck joined the Mariners in an April 1 trade with the division-rival Rangers, who acquired righty Grant Anderson in return. Sadzeck has produced good bottom-line results in 23 2/3 innings since then, thanks in part to a 96 mph four-seamer and a 94 mph sinker. He has pitched to a 2.66 ERA with 10.27 K/9 and a 46 percent groundball rate, though a bloated BB/9 (5.7) and a 4.66 FIP do curb enthusiasm about Sadzeck’s performance.
In better injury-related news for the Mariners, infielders Dee Gordon, Ryon Healy and J.P. Crawford are all nearing rehab assignments, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times suggests. Gordon (right wrist contusion) and Healy (lower back inflammation) have each been on the IL since May 21, while Crawford went down less than a week ago on account of a left ankle sprain.
With transaction-happy general manager Jerry Dipoto at the helm, Gordon and Healy could be trade chips when they return to health. Both players have managed uninspiring production since they arrived in Seattle heading into the 2018 season, though, and likely wouldn’t bring back much in a deal.
Gordon and Healy may not be long-term building blocks for the Mariners, but the hope is Crawford will emerge as one. Acquired from the Phillies in a blockbuster trade last December, the formerly elite shortstop prospect got off to a nice start with his new organization before landing on the IL. Crawford, 24, hit well with Triple-A Tacoma and then began his M’s tenure by batting .279/.343.426 (112 wRC+) in 67 plate appearances between his promotion on May 10 and his IL placement on the 29th.
It’s about the future, genius. Newcomers Kelenic, Dunn, Crawford, Long, and Fraley have all impressed, and they picked up a few freebies that have impressed as well.
If the team still stinks in a few years, there will be plenty to mock. But right now things are mostly going according to plan.
Mariners owners would do well to get rid of Dipoto and his puppet manager.
Dipoto always puts on a competitive team. Give him more time before we critique. Let him finish the rebuild / “reimagine”.
Dipoto traded for both Mallex Smith and Omar Navarez though neither know what the glove on their hand is used for. Though team started 13 – 2 They will lose 100 games easily Dipoto should be selling used cars
Guess you missed the memo about the “step-back”. By the way, Zunino’s slashing .193/.241/.363. He’s an excellent defender, but that is one useless bat. He’s worth 0.3 fWAR. Narvaez: 1.1 fWAR. And then there’s Tom Murphy, who has 0.7 fWAR in just 22 games.
Bishop and Fraley will probably take over center field at some point. It’s the pitching that should concern fans, but again, the focus isn’t 2019.