Mariners vs. Nationals: Julio is back, Logan limits damage, and J.P. goes yard

Best Moment: J.P. Crawford homers for the first time since coming back from the IL

The Mariners' star shortstop was placed in the 10-day injured list in late April due to a right oblique strain. His hitting had been a far cry from where it was in 2023 with his slash line ending up at an unremarkable .198/.296/.302 before taking time off. Since returning on May 20 to begin the series against the Yankees, his OPS has increased slightly from .598 to .615, mostly due to the home run he hit in the first game of the series against the Nationals. It was a 399-foot leadoff shot to left center field on a poorly placed four-seam fastball from MacKenzie Gore. It was also the first home run he had hit since April 8th and just the third one he has hit all year.

It ended up being the only run the team would score in that game but it was a good flashback to last year when he put up 19 home runs (a career high by 10) and 35 doubles. He's still got a long way to go before his hitting comes close to matching what it was in 2023 but many players have come back from the IL better than ever. Who's to say J.P. Crawford isn't another one of those players?