Mariners avoid disaster as JP Crawford gets hit by pitch while on rehab assignment
It looks like fans can breath a sigh of relief after seeing JP Crawford get hit in the wrist/hand area while on a rehab assignment in Tacoma
Expectations were high this year for JP Crawford after a career year in 2024, but like the whole offense, he struggled to get out of the gate early on. Unfortunately, Crawford was placed on the injured list with an oblique strain, which may have contributed to the early season struggles.
In JP Crawford's absence, the team has turned to Dylan Moore to fill that void, and man, he has done everything you could ask for and more. Since JP hit the injured list, Moore has slashed .230/.294/.426. While that might not impress you all that much, he has hit two home runs, stole three bases, and drove in 10 runs while being a sort of spark plug for the Mariners.
Mariners' fans were nervous seeing JP Crawford HBP in rehab assignment
With that being said, we have seen Moore's performance over a long stretch might be too much of a role for him. Moore is likely one of the best super utility players in the game. Having him play in both corner outfield spots, second base, short stop and being a valuable late inning pinch runner is where Moore thrives. Hopefully JP will be back soon and can get Moore back into that super utility role, as he was recently sent out on a rehab assignment.
The Mariners were expecting JP back on their upcoming road trip, and hopefully that is still the case, but JP took a fastball off the hand, and JP's reaction did not look good. He immediately threw down his helmet, ripped his batting gloves, and walked to the clubhouse. Now hopefully this isn't because he knew something wrong. This seems more of a situation where he is over playing against Triple-A pitching and just wants to get back to the big-league club (so do all of the Mariners' fans).
JP has been a very healthy player, with this being his first trip to the injured list since June of 2019. Though Dylan Moore has filled in excellently, JP Crawford's ability to control the zone and set the tone for this offense at the top of the order is something that is paramount for their success this year, along with his leadership in that clubhouse. The Mariners did seem to get some good news on this injury from MLB Insider, Daniel Kramer, stating that it seems like the injury concern is not that high right now; hopefully JP can still join the club on the road trip to Baltimore. Hopefully the time off gives JP a reset and he can ignite this offense and capture some of the magic from 2023 JP.