The Mariners have placed outfielder Braden Bishop on the 10-day injured list due to a lacerated spleen. Taking Bishop’s spot on the 25-man roster is Mac Williamson, who signed a minor league contract with the Mariners just today and will immediately have that contract selected.
Williamson’s stint on the open market didn’t last long, as he only elected to become a free agent on June 1 after clearing waivers following his second designation for assignment of the season from the Giants. Once an intriguing prospect who posted strong numbers in San Francisco’s farm system, Williamson has yet to turn that promise into results at the Major League level. Williamson has a .207/.283/.359 slash line over 396 plate appearances, spread over parts of the last five seasons for the Giants.
A change of scenery seemed in order for the 28-year-old, and he’ll now get another big league opportunity in Seattle. He’ll provide backup in both corner outfield spots for the Mariners, and he is currently the only backup outfielder on the M’s roster (behind regulars Mitch Haniger, Mallex Smith, and Domingo Santana). Williamson is out of options, and his long-term chances of sticking with Seattle could be limited given that Dee Gordon and Ryon Healy are both slated to begin rehab assignments as they work their way back from the IL.
Bishop has appeared for 10 games in his rookie season, with just two hits to show for 24 plate appearances. Bishop was only just promoted back up to the MLB roster on Sunday, though he told reporters (including Root Sports’ Jen Mueller) that he was hit in the ribs with a pitch while in the minors last week, which could have led to the spleen injury.
A lacerated spleen doesn’t sound real good…
How does that happen getting hit by a pitch?
And he’s just noticing it now when he’s on the major league roster?
Sounds like a late night injury…..
Congrats Mac! He needed a new gig. Hopefully he hits a couple lasers tonight.
Get ready, Seattle fan. Williamson will hit like a fiend for about 5 games to get you to believe the hype that curiously surrounds him. Then he’ll settle back into his sub-.210 world.
We aren’t expecting him to be on the roster for more than a few weeks, at most.
Mac is straight doo doo
Have to agree. When you look at the reality of the situation, Williamson was never able to secure a roster spot with SF despite the fact they’ve had screaming needs in the OF for years. He might stick somewhere if and when he ever decides to become a professional hitter first, power second. But the sabremetricians will say that’s not who he is, and so we can expect to see him in Japan or Korea in 2020.
Go Mac! Rootin’ for ya.
Hey couldn’t hit in San Fran so I’m sure hitting at Safe….T-Mobile Park will be much easier. Another Jerry Mart Blue Light Special
Ballpark has zero to with why he can’t hit.
No kidding, but going to a park where few hit at all doesn’t seem promising does it
T Mobile is not like it used to be in regards to hitters being at a disadvantage. It’s pretty much middle of the pack.
Williamson a three run bomb!
5.000 OPS as a Mariner
Same ole Mariners. They had Ackley in spring training with .526 OBP. And released him. Instead of putting him in Tacoma where he would have been hitting .365. With power. And they picked up Eric young junior instead with his .239 avg. He’s terrible and old. Oh well