Seattle Mariners fans are awaiting news on the condition of All-Star rookie outfielder Julio Rodriguez, who was hit on the hand by a pitch in the eighth inning of Saturday’s win over the Houston Astros.
Rodriguez swung at the pitch and missed, then was hit on the back of his hand by the ball. He struck out and took his spot in the outfield in the bottom of the inning, then was pinch hit for in the ninth inning. Pinch hitter Abraham Toro hit a two-run single off Astros closer Ryan Pressly that gave the Mariners a 5-4 win.
Mariners manager Scott Servais said after the game that Rodriguez was scheduled for X-rays.
“He did not feel comfortable with a bat in his hand,” Servais said. “So we’ll pray that it is not broke.”
Julio Rodriguez injury pic.twitter.com/P59C9koqu5
— Red Sox Stats (@redsoxstats) July 31, 2022
Mariners outfielder Dylan Moore also left Saturday’s game with back spasms.
The Mariners enter their final game of their four-game series with the Astros on Sunday 11 games behind American League West-leading Houston but sitting in the second AL wild-card spot.
Rodriguez has been key to the Mariners’ stellar July, in which they’re 18-6. He’s hitting .267 with 12 runs, five home runs and 18 RBIs during the month.
On the season, the 21-year-old is batting .271 and leads the team in home runs (18) and RBIs (57). –Field Level Media ()