Seven Years of Tradition Ending Thursday: The Mariners Have a New Shortstop
The Mariners are about to do something they haven't done since 2019. J.P. Crawford, the team's longest-tenured player, won't be in the lineup for opening day. Instead, a shoulder injury that sidelined him for most of spring training has landed him on the 10-day injured list, and now Leo Rivas gets the call to man the position in Thursday's opener against the Cleveland Guardians.
This isn't exactly shocking news if you've been following camp. The Mariners made it clear late in spring that Crawford wouldn't be ready to go, and frankly, neither would right-hander Bryce Miller. The pitcher landed on the 15-day IL because of an oblique strain, another injury that wasn't a surprise given what the front office had been signaling. Utility player Miles Mastrobuoni is also starting the season on the 10-day IL after a calf injury he suffered playing for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic.
Leo Rivas Gets His Chance at Short
Rivas is the guy now. The 28-year-old journeyman infielder is regarded as the Mariners' best defensive option up the middle, and he'll be the opening day starter at shortstop. Last year was his first time making an opening-day roster with Seattle, coming in as the backup infielder. He got sent down to Triple-A Tacoma in late May but made his way back on Sept. 1 and actually became a regular down the stretch. The Mariners clinched the AL West with him in the lineup, and he even started four games at second base in the ALCS. Now it's his moment to prove he belongs at the position.
Crawford has been optimistic about a return in the next couple weeks, so this is probably a temporary situation. As for Colt Emerson, the Mariners' No. 1 prospect pushed hard for a roster spot all the way through the final days of spring camp. The 20-year-old shortstop/third baseman has only played 40 games above Class A though and just six games in Triple-A Tacoma last September. He'll head back to Tacoma to start the season, though a mid-season call-up is definitely in play if he keeps raking.
Bullpen Changes and the Road Ahead
Miller's situation is more complicated. The guy missed about half of last season with bone spurs in his pitching elbow and reaggravated things after his first spring start. He's back at the team's facility in Arizona building up arm strength gradually. He's thrown two bullpen sessions with no setbacks, but he's looking at several more weeks before he's really ready. Right-hander Emerson Hancock will take his rotation spot to open the season. Ryan Bliss earned the final roster spot and gets another chance after missing almost the entire last year with biceps and knee injuries.
The Mariners open Thursday night against the Guardians. This roster is different than it was a week ago, but the mission is the same: compete hard and make a run in the AL West.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.