J.P. Crawford Is Down, Colt Emerson Is Out, and Mariners Fans Need to See Who's Starting Shortstop!
Holy smokes, what a wild few days for our Mariners' infield! Just when we thought we knew who was holding down shortstop, T-Mobile Park got hit with a double whammy that’s got us scrambling. Our captain, J.P. Crawford, is officially on the 10-day injured list with a bruised right hand, and the ripple effect? It’s a full-on rookie rodeo out there. Get ready, Emerald City, because things just got super interesting at the most crucial infield spot.
The Infield Gets A Shakedown
This all started on Friday, right? Our guy J.P. took a 95-mph sinker to the hand from Framber Valdez in that tough loss to Detroit. He was pulled from the field in the bottom of that inning and couldn't even suit up for the rest of the series. Now, the Mariners have officially placed him on the 10-day IL, retroactive to Saturday. This is a tough blow, no doubt. Crawford, at 31, has been a fixture, starting at shortstop in 53 of his 55 games this season, where he’s been batting .228 with 10 dingers and 23 RBIs. To cover the spot, Ryan Bliss got the call-up from Triple-A Tacoma. Bliss, 26, has already had one game as a pinch hitter for us this year, but he’s hitting .204 with one homer over 51 games at Triple-A and has a .210 average, three homers, and 12 RBIs in 45 career big-league games. He's got his work cut out for him.
🎲 Want to Make Tonight's Game More Interesting?
Kalshi lets you trade on real sports outcomes — not just spreads. It's the only federally regulated prediction market in the US, and it's available right here in Washington state.
New users get a FREE $10 just for signing up — no deposit required to claim it.
👉 Claim Your Free $10 at KalshiRookie Rollercoaster at Shortstop
Here’s where it gets wild. With J.P. out, everyone was buzzing about 20-year-old top prospect Colt Emerson. The rookie, who just made his big league debut last month, was penciled in to start at shortstop for Monday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles. We were all hyped to see him get that consistent run! But then, about an hour before the game, BOOM! Emerson was scratched from the lineup. The reason? Back tightness, the club said. Are you kidding me? This means we won't see him at SS tonight either.
So, who steps up for the first pitch? None other than Cole Young. The 22-year-old, a first-round pick back in the 2022 MLB Draft, is now scheduled to get his first career start at shortstop tonight! He's been solid for us, appearing in 66 games at second base this season, hitting .253 with four homers and 31 RBIs in his second season in the majors. Bliss will play second base alongside Young. Talk about a trial by fire for our young guns, right?
It's going to be a huge game tonight against the Orioles, not just for the win, but to see how Young handles the hot corner. This is his moment, his chance to show us what he's made of at shortstop. You know we'll be watching every single pitch!
🐦 What fans are saying on X
See the latest reactions and highlights from Seattle fans about J.P. Crawford.
View X conversation →DFS Pick'em
⚡ DraftKings Pick 6: Deposit $5, Get $25 in Bonus Instantly + Up to 100% Winning Boost
Use code ONTAP to lock in this offer.
👉 Get your $25 DraftKings Pick 6 bonusSponsored. Must be 18+. Terms apply.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.