Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Back from WBC on Saturday
Rotowire
Rodriguez slotted back into the Mariners lineup Saturday after Team Dominican Republic was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic, leading off and going 1-for-3 in a Cactus League loss to the Guardians.
The second-year phenom's Cactus League average sits at .368, and he turned in a solid showing in the WBC with a .278 average (5-for-18) with a double, three RBI, a walk and two runs in four games. Rodriguez will now turn his focus back to preparing for the 2023 campaign and appears to already have his timing down at the plate based on his complete body of work to date.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Already swinging hot bat
Rotowire
Rodriguez is hitting .400 (4-for-10) with a solo home run and a walk through his first four Cactus League games.
The reigning AL Rookie of the Year appears poised to avoid a sophomore slump if early returns are any indication. Rodriguez has hit safely in each of his first four exhibitions, and his first round tripper of spring Wednesday against the Cubs seems to corroborate he's suffering no aftereffects from the collision with the outfield wall he sustained in Monday's game against the White Sox.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Fine after collision
Rotowire
Rodriguez said that he was completely fine after colliding with the outfield wall during Monday's Cactus League game against the White Sox, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Rodriguez got jammed up against the wall while attempting to rob a homer on Monday, and while he stayed in the game initially, he was subbed out in favor of Cade Marlowe an inning later. The 21-year-old stated that he jammed his right arm and got the wind knocked out of him, but no injury was suffered. Rodriguez is one of the most exciting young talents in baseball, and everyone can breathe a sigh of relief that his exit was just precautionary.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Could run more this season
Rotowire
Rodriguez could run more this season, Mariners manager Scott Servais told Corey Brock of The Athletic on Friday.
Just four of Rodriguez's 25 stolen bases in his rookie season came after the All-Star break. Part of that was health related, as he dealt with wrist and back issues, and part was pitchers simply paying more attention to him. However, Servais noted Friday that stealing bases is "a big part of [Rodriguez's] game." J-Rod also figures to be one of countless players to benefit from the league's new pickoff throw limits and bigger bases.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Brings home AL Rookie of the Year
Rotowire
Rodriguez (finger) was named the 2022 American League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year on Monday.
This announcement comes as no surprise to anyone who watched Rodriguez dominate throughout the 2022 season. He finished with 29 first-place votes and one second-place vote, as Adley Rutschman was the only other rookie to receive a first-place vote. Rodriguez slashed .284/.345/.509 with 28 home runs, 75 RBI, 25 stolen bases (in 32 chances) and 84 runs scored in 132 contests. During a call with media Monday, Rodriguez noted that his finger is feeling better and he began workouts three days ago, per Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Dealing with fractured fingertip
Rotowire
GM Jerry Dipoto revealed Wednesday that Rodriguez finished the season playing through a fractured fingertip, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.
The rookie outfielder spent time on the 10-day injured list down the stretch with a lower-back sprain, and he apparently also picked up the finger injury at some point. The issue isn't a serious concern, and he should be ready for the start of spring training in February. Rodriguez is the favorite to be named AL Rookie of the Year after he posted a .284/.345/.509 slash line with 28 home runs, 75 RBI and 25 stolen bases in 132 games during 2022.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Leads off with homer
Rotowire
Rodriguez went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in Wednesday's victory over Detroit.
Rodriguez led off the first inning with a homer off lefty starter Tyler Alexander to open the scoring. The outfielder hit five homers during his final 11 games of 2022 resulting in a .914 slugging percentage over 35 at-bats during that span. The favorite for AL Rookie of the Year, Rodriguez finished the season with an .854 OPS, 28 home runs, 75 RBI, 84 runs and 25 stolen bases in 132 contests.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Out of Game 1 lineup Tuesday
Rotowire
Rodriguez is not in the lineup for Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Tigers.
Rodriguez went 3-for-4 in his return from the injured list Monday, and with a doubleheader on the slate, he will start the matinee on the bench. Jarred Kelenic will start in center field and hit sixth.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Three hits in return
Rotowire
Rodriguez (back), reinstated from the 10-day injured list earlier in the day, went 3-for-4 with an RBI double and a run in a loss to the Tigers on Monday.
Reports throughout Rodriguez's IL stint indicated he was feeling progressively better, and his ability to break out with a multi-hit effort in his return seems to support that notion. Rodriguez led off and filled the DH role Monday, and his stellar night at the plate extends a torrid streak dating back to late August that's seen the rookie produce a .389 average and 1.172 OPS across his last 20 games.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Leading off Monday
Rotowire
Rodriguez (back) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and is leading off during Monday's game against the Tigers, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
Rodriguez resumed baseball activities late last week and will return to the Mariners' lineup after working on swinging a bat Monday. He's serving as the designated hitter and leading off Monday and will have the chance to get some at-bats during the Mariners' three-game series to close out the regular season.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Set to return Monday
Rotowire
The Mariners plan to activate Rodriguez (back) from the 10-day injured list prior to Monday's game against the Tigers, Shane Lantz of the Seattle Times reports.
Manager Scott Servais expects Rodriguez to take plenty of swings Sunday, and the rookie should return to action for the final few games of the regular season. The Mariners have already clinched a playoff berth, so the 21-year-old's late-season activation will allow him to get some work in ahead of the wild-card round.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Returning to baseball activities
Rotowire
Rodriguez (back) is slated to return to baseball activities Thursday and continues to aim for activation Monday when first eligible, Brandon Gustafson of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.
The news comes directly from general manager Jerry Dipoto, who's lending further credence to the possibility of Rodriguez missing the minimal amount of time required by his IL stint. Dipoto added the decision to sideline Rodriguez temporarily was mostly precautionary, and the outfielder has reported feeling better each day thus far. The star rookie's ability to get some at-bats in over the final days of the regular season before the Mariners' expected wild-card series would naturally be a benefit for his timing at the plate, and it would serve as a platform to further corroborate his back is at full health.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Tracking toward brief IL stint
Rotowire
Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said Rodriguez (back) is on track to return from the 10-day injured list when first eligible Oct. 3, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Rodriguez was placed on the IL on Friday due to the lower-back strain, but he already appears to be making positive strides in his recovery. The star rookie still has a few more hurdles to clear before the Mariners confirm he'll be ready to go for its final series of the regular season, but Rodriguez looks like he'll be worth stashing in redraft leagues that have another lineup period next week. The Mariners conclude their regular season with a four-game set versus Detroit, and Rodriguez could play in all of those games if playoff positioning is at stake.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Lands on injured list
Rotowire
Rodriguez was placed on the 10-day injured list with a lower-back strain Friday.
Rodriguez has been dealing with the back issue for at minimum most of the last week. He missed three games against the Angels and only made it back for three more before exiting again Thursday against Oakland. He'll be eligible to return for the final series of the year against the Tigers, but it's not yet clear if he'll be healthy enough to do so. Taylor Trammell was recalled to give the Mariners another option in the outfield.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Not in Friday's lineup
Rotowire
Rodriguez (back) isn't starting Friday against the Royals.
Rodriguez was removed from Thursday's matchup against Oakland due to lower-back tightness, and manager Scott Servais called the injury "concerning." The 21-year-old is undergoing an MRI on Friday, and he'll be out of the lineup for at least one game. Jarred Kelenic will take over in center field and bat sixth.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Heading for MRI
Rotowire
Rodriguez (back) will undergo an MRI on Friday, and manager Scott Servais said the recurrence of the outfielder's injury is "concerning," Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
The 21-year-old exited Thursday's matchup with Oakland during the first inning due to lower-back tightness, which is the same injury that sidelined him last weekend. Rodriguez missed three games after the injury cropped up Saturday, though he never underwent medical imaging before he returned to action Tuesday. Given he's undergoing an MRI, Rodriguez shouldn't be expected to be in the lineup for Friday's contest in Kansas City. Jarred Kelenic and Sam Haggerty should have increased roles for Seattle while Rodriguez is unavailable.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Dealing with low back tightness
Rotowire
Rodriguez exited Thursday's game against Oakland in the bottom of the first inning due to low back tightness.
Rodriguez exited with a trainer in the bottom of the first inning Thursday and has been diagnosed with the same issue that forced him to miss three games last weekend. The severity of his current injury isn't yet clear, but Jarred Kelenic, Dylan Moore and Sam Haggerty are candidates to see increased playing time if Rodriguez is forced to miss additional time.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Exits game early
Rotowire
Rodriguez left Thursday's contest against Oakland in the first inning, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.
It isn't clear yet what the issue is with Rodriguez, but some speculation has been made regarding his recent back problems potentially acting up. The Mariners will take a closer look at him and provide an update once they know more. For now, Jarred Kelenic will take his spot in center field and Sam Haggerty will come in the game to cover left field.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Hitless in return
Rotowire
Rodriguez (back) went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in a loss to the Athletics on Tuesday.
The star rookie made his return to the lineup after missing three games with low-back tightness. While Rodriguez saw his bat cool off after having put together a .447 average and 1.428 OPS in his last 10 full games before his injury, the fact he was able to log a full nine innings Tuesday seems to indicate his previously ailing back has returned to normal.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Julio Rodriguez: Returning to action Tuesday
Rotowire
Rodriguez (back) is starting in center field and batting leadoff Tuesday against the Athletics.
The 21-year-old was sidelined the past three games with a bout of lower-back tightness, but he'll rejoin the starting nine Tuesday in Oakland. The fact Rodriguez is playing the field rather than being eased in as the designated hitter is an encouraging sign for his outlook going forward.
