Mariners' Rodriguez heads to IL after being hit in hand by pitch
The Seattle Mariners are placing outfielder Julio Rodriguez on the injured list after the rookie phenom was hit on the hand by a pitch while swinging Saturday night against the Houston Astros.
Mariners manager Scott Servais said Sunday that Rodriguez has a sore wrist and will be shut down from swinging for at least five days. He added that X-rays were negative.
Julio Rodríguez is going on the IL. X-Rays were negative, but wrist is swollen and will not be able to swing a bat in the next 5 days or so. pic.twitter.com/8R6nCP6xYK
— Marly Rivera (@MarlyRiveraESPN) July 31, 2022
Rodriguez sustained the injury during an eighth-inning at-bat on a 97-mph sinker from Rafael Montero. Rodriguez was deemed out on strikes on a full count.
Julio Rodriguez injury pic.twitter.com/P59C9koqu5
— Red Sox Stats (@redsoxstats) July 31, 2022
This is the latest injury trouble for Rodriguez, who also missed time after the All-Star break with a sore wrist. The 21-year-old participated in the Home Run Derby, finishing as runner-up to Washington Nationals superstar Juan Soto.
Rodriguez is arguably the front-runner for AL Rookie of the Year, hitting .271/.334/.482 with 18 homers and 21 stolen bases through 96 games for the second-place Mariners.
Seattle is also placing second baseman/outfielder Dylan Moore on the injured list but hasn't made any official roster moves yet. Outfielder Jarred Kelenic, who hit .288/.353/.550 over 54 games since being sent down to Triple-A Tacoma earlier this year amid struggles, was recalled in a corresponding move.