Mariners Shuffle Infield Depth After J.P. Crawford Injury As Colt Emerson Steps Into Starting Role

The Seattle Mariners have placed shortstop J.P. Crawford on the 10-day injured list after he suffered a right-hand contusion from a hit-by-pitch earlier this week. In a corresponding move, Seattle recalled infielder Ryan Bliss from Triple-A Tacoma as they adjust their infield depth during a key stretch of the season.

J.P. Crawford Injury Disrupts Mariners Surge As Offensive Production Remains Strong

Crawford’s injury comes at an inopportune time for the Mariners, who have surged to the top of the American League West in part due to his recent offensive production. Since late April, the veteran shortstop has been a steady presence at the plate, hitting .258/.366/.500 with nine home runs, two doubles, and a strong 12.7% walk rate across 142 plate appearances. His ability to get on base and provide occasional power has helped stabilize Seattle’s lineup.

Mariners Shuffle Infield Depth After J.P. Crawford Injury As Colt Emerson Steps Into Starting Role

For the season overall, Crawford is hitting .228/.356/.409 and has been roughly 26% better than league average by wRC+. Despite his offensive value, his defensive metrics at shortstop have slipped, leading to internal discussions about a potential position change to third base. That shift would also help clear a pathway for top prospect Colt Emerson, who is viewed as the organization’s shortstop of the future.

Colt Emerson Steps Into Shortstop Role As Mariners Adjust Infield Depth Amid Injuries

Emerson is expected to take over primary shortstop duties during Crawford’s absence. The young infielder has shown encouraging early results in the majors, posting a .242/.319/.548 slash line with four home runs in his first 69 plate appearances. His power upside has quickly made him a notable part of Seattle’s infield plans.

The situation is further complicated by the absence of third baseman Brendan Donovan, who has been sidelined since May 15 with a groin strain. With Donovan still out, the Mariners are likely to divide third base duties between Patrick Wisdom and Ryan Bliss. Although Bliss is primarily a second baseman, he has recently gained experience at third base during his time in Triple-A, giving Seattle some short-term flexibility.

Even with these injuries, Seattle’s lineup remains productive across multiple positions. Players such as Randy Arozarena, Luke Raley, Cole Young, and Dominic Canzone have helped maintain offensive balance while the roster adjusts. The Mariners are optimistic that once Crawford and Donovan return, they will regain full infield stability and preserve their position in the division race.