Mariners Injury Update: Fans exhale as Mitch Garver avoids major issue

Mitch Garver is a man on a mission, and he’s got plenty to prove going into his second season with the Seattle Mariners.

After a disappointing 2024 campaign, the veteran catcher and designated hitter is looking to silence the doubters, and there's been plenty. Some criticism from the fanbase has crossed the line, but Garver has taken it in stride, putting his head down and getting back to work.

If there was one silver lining to last season for Garver, it was that he stayed relatively healthy, appearing in a career-high 112 games. But health alone isn't enough, as Garver knows production matters after he managed just a .627 OPS last season. And so far, he’s come into spring training looking like a man possessed.

With a team-high three home runs and an eye-popping .444/.476/.944 slash line, Garver has given Mariners fans a glimpse of the power bat they were expecting when he signed last offseason. His resurgence has been a welcome sight, especially considering his importance as Cal Raleigh’s backup and a key presence as a DH in the lineup.

But just as his momentum was building, a scare nearly derailed everything.

Was Mitch Garver’s spring breakout about to be derailed?

On Monday, in his second at-bat against the Brewers, Garver took a pitch from Kaleb Bowman off his hand, immediately sparking concern. Given his torrid start and the team’s need for depth, the possibility of an injury was the last thing the Mariners needed.

Fortunately, fans can breathe a sigh of relief. According to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times, X-rays came back negative, showing no fracture. Garver will meet with the team doctor on Wednesday to determine if a CT scan is necessary, but early signs suggest he’s avoided major damage.

For Garver, this is just another hurdle in a year where he’s determined to prove he has plenty left in the tank. His 2024 numbers were far and away from his usual production. But with his health intact and his bat showing signs of life, he’s got the opportunity to flip the script in 2025.

The Mariners need him. And if this spring is any indication, Mitch Garver is ready to answer the call.