Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez has begun running as part of his recovery from a high-ankle sprain, but the team still doesn’t know when he might return to the lineup.
General manager Justin Hollander mentioned on Friday that Rodríguez has started “linear running” and is recovering “at a high rate of speed.” However, because of the nature of the injury, it’s hard to predict when Rodríguez will be ready to handle the cutting and lateral movements needed for his return to Seattle’s lineup.
“Julio is generally a fast healer and is younger, faster, and stronger than almost anyone in the world, so he is pushing it as much as he can. I know he wants to get back here,” Hollander said.
Rodríguez injured his ankle on July 21 when he collided with the center field wall while trying to make a catch.
The update on Rodríguez came on the same day Seattle put reliever Gregory Santos on the 15-day injured list due to biceps inflammation, though they hope his absence will be short. Santos left the mound in the middle of the eighth inning on Wednesday after feeling discomfort in his arm.
Seattle also claimed right-hander Jonathan Hernández off waivers from Texas and designated right-hander Brett de Geus for assignment. Hernández was 3-1 with a 5.05 ERA in 26 games for the Rangers this season before being designated for assignment by Texas on Tuesday.
Shortstop J.P. Crawford, who is also recovering from a broken pinky on his right hand, was seen taking ground balls before Friday’s game. Hollander said Crawford would have more X-rays taken on Monday but will not start progressing in his baseball activities until August 19 at the earliest.
“That will be four weeks. That’s pretty aggressive, but that would be the absolute soonest. It just depends on what kind of healing we see,” Hollander said.
