World Baseball Classic injury further clouds utility man's Mariners future

The biggest concern the Seattle Mariners had ahead of the World Baseball Classic was player injuries, with the odds not helped by having the most representatives at 18 (along with the New York Mets). Well, this potential fate has become a reality for Miles Mastrobuoni and in the process may well have cost him his future with the organization.

As per Brent Stecker of Seattle Sports, Mastrobuoni injured a calf muscle during Team Italy's 8-6 win versus Team USA and has now returned to Mariners camp. Team Italy has been the surprise of the tournament so far and the 30-year-old had played his part prior to the injury, going 2-for-3 with a RBI and a walk.

A promising 2025 campaign with the Mariners for Miles Mastrobuoni

The former Tampa Bay Ray had entered spring training full of confidence, coming off a season where he played a career high 76 games with the Mariners, batted a respectable .250 and provided invaluable defensive versatility. And while he didn't play enough to qualify for Baseball Savants' rankings some of his numbers were still impressive, including being in the 96th percentile for Chase%, as well as the 92nd percentile for Squared-Up% and xBA.

Mastrobuoni was determined to make an impression in camp, with his positive mentality shining through during an interview with Nevada Sportsnet in January. He said: "I preach a lot about just being where your feet are and taking it one level at a time and conquering it. And the next thing you know you kind of find yourself knocking at the door and you’re trying to find those other things that will get you through there and hopefully be able to break through and have a full season in the majors this year."

And knocking on the doori was exactly what Mastrobuoni did with his early play in Peoria, to the point that SoDo Mojo's Zachary Rymer was predicting he could actually make the Opening Day roster, and with good reason. He went 4-for-15 prior to departing for the WBC with Team Italy, which included a grand slam as part of three extra-base hits.

Fate now seemingly conspiring against Miles Mastrobuoni

The 2016 14th-round draft pick was also hitting the ball at a solid average of 92.5 mph and, combined with Cole Young's early struggles in camp, was putting himself in a promising position to make that Opening Day roster. Heck, even his play in the WBC was conceivably helping him, but now the picture couldn't be more different thanks to a perfect storm of conspiring factors.

Aside from the injury, obviously, Young has finally caught fire and is on a tear in Cactus League action, while Leo Rivas now has an edge for a utility bench job thanks to a .900 OPS and his overall performances. And the final ominous factor to consider is Mastrobuoni's contract situation, with him now out of minor league options.

We wrote on Friday about how players not on Team USA seem to be more passionate about representing their country in the WBC, and we would never hold this against any of them. However, in the case of Mastrobuoni specifically, this passion might now ultimately mean the end of the line is approaching for him with the Mariners if he doesn't make the Opening Day 26-man roster.