The Mariners reinstated utilityman Sam Haggerty from the seven-day concussion-related version of the injured list today, with catcher/outfielder Cooper Hummel optioned to Triple-A in the corresponding move.
Haggerty hit his head while trying to make a catch in Seattle’s 5-3 win over Colorado on April 14, and required a stint on the concussion IL while his symptoms cleared up. The versatile Haggerty has appeared mostly as a second baseman in his eight games played this season, but his experience as a third baseman and at all three outfield positions makes him a key contributor off the Mariners’ bench. The switch-hitter also delivered at the plate in 2022, hitting .256/.335/.403 with five homers over 201 plate appearances. Haggerty is also 25-for-27 in stolen base chances over his five MLB seasons, and his baserunning skills could be even more valuable under the new rules in play for the 2023 campaign.
Hummel is off to a rough start, batting only .087/.192/.130 over his first 26 PA of the season. With an interesting defensive skillset in his own right, Hummel has experience as an outfielder and catcher, though the Mariners have yet to use him as anything but an outfielder and DH thus far, as Cal Raleigh and Tom Murphy have been handling duties behind the plate. The M’s acquired Hummel in an offseason trade with the Diamondbacks that saw Kyle Lewis dealt to Arizona in return.
Great to have Haggerty back.
I hope the Mariners can keep rolling now and chalk up some wins!
This is good news.
Now they can stop calling him Staggerty.
Last night was my first time seeing George Kirby. Congrats M’s fans. You have yourselves a nice pitcher. Granted, had he turned around and chosen to throw left handed, he probably still would have looked like Sandy Koufax against this Cardinals lineup. But, ya, nice pitcher.
I had wondered if they had approached him on a long term contract agreement or have they become a little shy on those commitments. But then maybe for the time being there’s no hurry here. I’m not familiar with his current contract. Did I say that backwards? But then he does look like a long term keeper.