The Mariners in the present day supplied an replace on infielder Ryan Bliss, who was positioned on the 10-day injured listing yesterday with a torn left biceps. Right this moment’s announcement relays that an MRI confirmed the severity of the tear and the necessity for surgical procedure, with an anticipated restoration timeline of 4 to 5 months.
It’s clearly a irritating improvement for Bliss and the membership. It’s unclear if that timeline consists of an eventual rehab project or if it would take that lengthy simply to start rehabbing. Both approach, he’ll miss nearly all of the marketing campaign even in a best-case state of affairs and it appears doable that he gained’t return in 2025 in any respect.
For the staff, it’s the second large blow to their place participant group up to now few days. Víctor Robles has a shoulder fracture and is anticipated to miss about three months whereas avoiding surgical procedure, although that timeline may change if surgical procedure ultimately is required. Now Bliss can also be going to be sidelined for a number of months.
Lack of offense was a problem for them final 12 months and their infield was notably regarding. Justin Turner and Jorge Polanco turned free brokers at season’s finish, with Josh Rojas non-tendered as properly. That left them with J.P. Crawford at shortstop and some position gamers or unestablished younger guys as candidates for the opposite spots. There have been many offseason rumors surrounding their infield pursuits however they solely made a few modest strikes, bringing again Polanco to play third and signing Donovan Solano to chip in on the corners in a part-time/platoon position.
That left second base open for inside choices, together with Bliss, a pleasant alternative for him. He got here into 2025 with simply 33 main league video games below his belt however some intriguing minor league numbers. Over 2023 and 2024, he produced a mixed line of .290/.378/.497 for numerous minor league golf equipment. That manufacturing led to a wRC+ of 120, indicating he was 20% above league common. He additionally stole 105 bases in 133 tries. The M’s acquired him from the Diamondbacks as a part of the July 2023 commerce that despatched Paul Sewald to the desert.
Bliss hit simply .200/.282/.314 to begin this 12 months however in a small pattern of simply ten video games. He gained’t be capable to regulate that line any time quickly. Between him and Robles, the membership has to improvise a brand new lineup round two vacancies. Polanco is battling some knee points and has been serving because the designated hitter currently. Luke Raley has moved from first base to proper discipline to exchange Robles, with Rowdy Tellez taking on at first, platooning with Solano. Dylan Moore, Miles Mastrobuoni and Leo Rivas determine to cowl third and second base, not less than till Polanco can take the sphere once more. Cole Younger is likely one of the high prospects within the league and will take over the keystone in some unspecified time in the future however he’s hitting .171/.292/.244 by way of 11 Triple-A video games to begin the 12 months.
All golf equipment cope with accidents however it’s maybe just a little extra regarding for Seattle. They didn’t have many assets accessible for upgrading their lineup this winter, giving them a considerably slim margin for error to start the 12 months. They’ve now limped out to a 5-8 begin and shall be with out two lineup regulars for a number of months. Bliss ought to be moved to the 60-day IL every time the Mariners want a roster spot.
Picture courtesy of Joe Nicholson, Imagn Photos
