Victor Robles Down and Out: Mariners Scrambling After Pec Strain Forces IL Move

The Mariners got hit with some bad injury news Wednesday before facing the Rangers in Arlington. Outfielder Victor Robles is headed to the 10-day injured list with a right pec strain, a move made retroactive to Tuesday. To fill the gap, Seattle recalled Connor Joe from Triple-A Tacoma. It's early April, but depth is already being tested.

Robles Out After Slow Start

Robles was just getting his feet under him with the Mariners. In five games, he's hitting .231, so this injury comes at a moment when the team was probably hoping to see him heat up. A pec strain is the kind of thing that can linger if you're not careful, so there's no telling exactly when he'll be back on the field. The IL move gives the team flexibility, but it also means one fewer option in the outfield mix right now.

Joe Steps In, Vargas Gets Moved

Connor Joe gets the call from Tacoma. The guy is a utility player who can handle first base, right field, and left field. He played in 42 games combined for Cincinnati and San Diego last season and hit .186, so he's coming in as a fill-in rather than a savior. Still, depth guys matter when injuries start piling up.

Speaking of which, the Mariners also moved right-hander Carlos Vargas from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL due to a right lat strain. That's a longer-term situation and suggests the team is preparing for him to be out awhile.

Back to Work

The Mariners took the field Wednesday at Globe Life Field looking to bounce back. Early season baseball is a grind, and injuries are part of the game. Seattle's going to need Joe to contribute and hope Robles gets right soon. Next up: more games against Texas, and a chance to get in the win column.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.