SEATTLE (AP) — Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford, who with a right shoulder injury, will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma, the club announced on Tuesday.
Mariners manager Dan Wilson confirmed Crawford will play for the Rainiers in Tuesday’s game against the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, but was unsure how many games Crawford will need before he is added to Seattle’s roster.
“We’ll see how it goes,” Wilson said. “But, certainly going to start that tonight.”
Crawford, 31, was Seattle’s starting shortstop for every opening day from 2019 to 2025. He was limited to seven spring training games due to his right shoulder injury and batted .143 with no extra-base hits.
Wilson said Crawford is progressing well in his return from injury.
“He’s been really on track,” Wilson said, “and in some ways ahead of where you would think because of spring training and getting opportunities to get as many at-bats as possible and that kind of thing. So, excited that he’s getting close.”
Top shortstop prospect Colt Emerson could also be to joining the Mariners. Emerson with the team, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The contract, which starts this season and includes a team option for 2034, would be the largest ever for a player who has not made his major league debut. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been announced.
Emerson batted .357 with one home run and a double and a 1.000 on-base percentage plus slugging in three games for Triple-A Tacoma. He appeared in 18 spring training games for the Mariners and batted .268 with two homers and eight RBIs and an .828 OPS.
Emerson is believed to be Seattle’s shortstop of the future, and will one day replace Crawford, who is the longest tenured player on the Mariners roster.
It is unclear once Crawford is healthy and Emerson makes it to the big leagues where the Mariners will put each of their natural shortstops on the field. All-Star infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan and utility man Leo Rivas have started each Mariners game this season at third base and shortstop, respectively.
When asked if he has talked with Crawford yet about Emerson, Wilson deflected.
“Hopefully we’ll get a chance to see (Crawford) when he gets back from his rehab,” Wilson said. “But, like I said, we’ve got a lot of focus on what’s going on here, and we’ll continue to do that.”
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