Just days after losing a key utility player to a freak injury, the Mariners were hit with another devastating blow: their $330 million superstar, Julio Rodríguez, is now facing a setback in his recovery that could sideline him even longer than initially expected.
According to multiple sources close to the team, Rodríguez — who had been dealing with lingering soreness and was expected to return soon — experienced increased discomfort during baseball activities this week. Further testing revealed what team doctors are calling a “complication in the healing process”, and the Mariners are now expected to shut him down indefinitely while they reassess the timeline.
“It’s obviously not what we wanted to hear,” said Mariners GM Justin Hollander. “Julio is a massive part of everything we’re building, and we’re going to do everything in our power to make sure he gets back to 100 percent before stepping on the field again.”
This news comes just 48 hours after the club also lost Dylan Moore, a crucial utility man known for his versatility and clutch performances. Moore reportedly suffered a freak injury during pregame warmups, slipping on a wet portion of the dugout steps and sustaining a high ankle sprain. He’s now expected to miss 4–6 weeks.
The back-to-back setbacks have cast a shadow over what had been a promising start to the season for Seattle. The Mariners now find themselves scrambling for solutions, both in the outfield and around the infield — all while trying to keep pace in a tightly contested AL West.
Rodríguez, the face of the franchise, inked his massive $330 million extension to be the cornerstone of the team’s future. And while his long-term outlook remains positive, the current situation raises serious concerns about the team’s depth and momentum.
“You can’t replace a Julio Rodríguez,” said manager Scott Servais. “You just have to rally, dig deep, and keep grinding.”
As the Mariners look to stay afloat in a competitive playoff race, the pressure is mounting — and the need for others to step up has never been more urgent.
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