3 ways the Mariners can survive Victor Robles' shoulder injury

On Sunday afternoon in San Francisco, Victor Robles put his body on the line in a moment that encapsulated the thrill of playing fearless baseball. The Seattle Mariners’ right fielder and leadoff spark plug made a highlight-reel catch in the bottom of the ninth of a 4-4 ballgame — one that quickly went viral on social media. But the excitement was short-lived.

Robles was writhing in pain and needed to be carted off the field, casting a shadow over what had been a hard-fought series finale. The Giants would walk it off shortly after his exit, sealing a sweep over the Mariners, but the real loss was Robles himself.

As of Monday, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reported that Robles has officially been placed on the 10-day Injured list with a right shoulder dislocation. An MRI will provide further clarity, but the immediate future points to an uphill battle for both Robles and a Mariners team that has already shown offensive inconsistency through the early weeks of the 2025 campaign.

Which Mariners step up in right field and at leadoff?

With Robles sidelined, Seattle now faces a two-pronged challenge: replacing his elite outfield defense and his energy at the top of the lineup.

Dominic Canzone proves he can handle big-league pitching

The most immediate move was the recall of Dominic Canzone from Triple-A Tacoma. Canzone is no stranger to sacrificing his body in the outfield — his 2024 season was derailed by a shoulder injury suffered on a diving catch of his own.

Canzone is an intriguing corner infield option. He’s an athletic lefty batter with wildly underrated pop and solid range in the outfield. The Mariners have reaped rewards with his bat in 2023 and 2024.

However, those rewards were outweighed by the massive holes in his swing. In 67 games last season, Canzone slashed a disappointing .196/.271/.381 with eight home runs and 17 RBIs, his struggles magnified by a swing that lost its rhythm. Despite efforts to tinker with his mechanics, he finished the season in the minors.

But 2025 has started on a better note. In Tacoma, he hit .276/.344/.517 with two home runs prior to his recall. He’ll now slot into the corner outfield mix with Luke Raley, though neither of them offer a true leadoff bat.

Julio Rodríguez fills Robles's shoes at the top of the order

If the Mariners are going to stay afloat without Robles, it’ll take a collective effort — but especially from Julio Rodríguez.

“The team goes as Julio goes” has been the mantra in Seattle, and while his .216 average through the early part of the season leaves plenty to be desired, he already has three home runs — his fastest start to the mark in his career. Traditionally a slow starter, J-Rod's early power is a promising sign.

However, plugging him into the leadoff spot isn’t ideal. His slugging potential is best used driving in runs. Without Robles, though, the Mariners may have no choice. If Rodríguez is going to lead off, the rest of the lineup will need to rally behind him.

Veterans must step up: Crawford, Polanco, and Arozarena

J.P. Crawford is an option to consider atop the order, especially given his past success there. In 2023, he tied the franchise single-season record with six leadoff home runs and posted a career-high 19 homers. But injuries and a prolonged slump in 2024 saw him drop to the bottom of the lineup, where he currently resides.

Now batting ninth and slashing .148/.361/.148, Crawford’s eye remains sharp — but the bat needs to come around if he’s to reclaim his old role and fill in for Robles.

Randy Arozarena, meanwhile, continues to be an enigma. He’s delivered in a couple high-leverage moments, but his energy has come off disinterested, and he's currently leading the team with 14 strikeouts in just 36 at-bats. If the Mariners are to get through this rough stretch, they’ll need Arozarena to lock in, both mentally and physically.

The biggest X-factor may be Jorge Polanco. In just six games, he’s slashing .450 with two home runs and eight RBIs. If his health holds, Polanco could be the stabilizing presence this lineup desperately needs. He has the tools to hit anywhere from second to fifth and could help bridge the gap in run production behind Julio.

Robles’ impact can’t be replicated by one player alone, hence the quick extension he received from the front office. His defense, energy, and leadoff presence are now foundational to the Mariners' identity. Now, it’s up to a mix of Canzone and Raley to cover ground in right field, and for Rodríguez to temporarily slide back into a familiar — but less ideal leadoff role.

More than anything, this injury will test the leadership and resolve of Seattle’s veterans. If Crawford finds his swing, if Arozarena regains his fire, and if Polanco stays healthy, the Mariners just might survive the storm. But make no mistake — the absence of Robles presents more than a roster challenge. It's a test of the team's culture and resilience.