While one player is ready to return from injury to play in the Mariners’ remaining games, another player, who could desperately use that game experience, is done for the season.
The Mariners are expected to welcome back starting shortstop J.P. Crawford to the lineup Thursday night in the series finale vs. the Reds. A hamstring injury suffered on the previous road trip had kept him out for the last nine games.
But for center fielder Jake Fraley, a seemingly harmless collision with Mallex Smith in Houston has ended his 2019 season. An MRI on Monday revealed sprained ligaments in Fraley’s swollen right thumb.