Mariners outfielder Victor Robles made an impressive catch late in right now’s recreation towards the Giants, however the second shortly turned worrisome when Robles crashed into the proper subject netting in foul territory. As famous by a number of reporters, together with Adam Jude of The Seattle Instances and Daniel Kramer of MLB.com, Robles exited the sport and was carted off the sphere clutching his left arm. As famous by Jude, supervisor Dan Wilson instructed reporters that Robles suffered a shoulder damage is present process preliminary exams to find out the precise situation.
It’s doubtlessly devastating information for the Mariners, for whom Robles has emerged as a spark plug in all features of the sport since he was signed by Seattle again in June after being launched by the Nationals earlier that 12 months. In 77 video games for Seattle the remainder of the best way, Robles hit an outstanding .328/.393/.467 with a wRC+ of 154. He additionally performed stable protection throughout all three outfield spots and went 30-for-31 on the basepaths en route to three.2 fWAR in simply 262 journeys to the plate of the Mariners final 12 months. It was such a robust efficiency that the membership signed Robles to a two-year extension that ensures him $9.75MM and retains him below workforce management via the top of the 2027 season due to a $9MM workforce possibility for a 3rd 12 months.
That 2024 breakout season represented a outstanding comeback for Robles, who was thought-about the most effective prospect within the Nationals’ system and among the many prime prospects in the whole sport as he got here up via the minor leagues alongside Juan Soto. Sadly, accidents have dogged Robles all all through his profession. He appeared in simply 530 video games in components of eight seasons in D.C. because of elbow, ankle, again, and hamstring accidents amongst different illnesses. He’s solely had one full season within the majors through the years, his 2019 rookie season with the membership, and since then has solely reached even 400 plate appearances in a season a single time.
It’s unimaginable to say with certainty to what extent the accidents led to Robles, who hit a disappointing .236/.311/.356 throughout his time with the Nationals, to below carry out the expectations related together with his prime prospect standing. Even so, it’s definitely that each he and the Mariners had been absolutely hoping his contemporary begin in Seattle final 12 months would afford him the chance to show himself wholesome and efficient within the large leagues over an prolonged time period. Whereas even an approximate timetable for Robles’s return to motion gained’t be clear till the Mariners present extra particulars relating to the character of his damage, it appears protected to say that Robles will miss a minimum of a while as a result of damage.
When it comes to choices to switch Robles within the lineup, they’re comparatively few and much between. Dylan Moore has gotten off to a sizzling begin this 12 months however is presently stepping in for Jorge Polanco at third base whereas Polanco nurses a sore knee. Dominic Canzone is on the 40-man roster at Triple-A and able to taking part in the outfield, or the membership might transfer Luke Raley from first base again into the outfield whereas giving first base to some mixture of Donovan Solano, Austin Shenton, and Tyler Locklear. No matter which choices they in the end go together with to fill in for Robles whereas he’s out, an prolonged absence from the outfielder might be powerful for the membership to deal with given their comparatively lackluster depth choices on the positional facet of issues.
