Mitch

Haniger

Drafted by the Brewers in 2012, Haniger debuted with the Diamondbacks, who acquired him in a trade for Gerardo Parra, in 2016. He was involved in another high-profile trade as the Mariners acquired him along with Jean Segura for Ketel Marte and Taijuan Walker prior to the 2017 season. Haniger spent six years in Seattle, where he made the All-Star team in 2018. After opting out of the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, Haniger came back and hit .253 with 39 home runs and 100 RBI in 2021. Now 34, Haniger has struggled in the three seasons since 2021 and is currently out with a shoulder injury. Despite his release, he’s still set to collect $15.5 million this year,. It’s fair to wonder if this is the end of the line for him.

Haniger has not played since March 6. The 34-year-old has dealt with injuries for the overwhelming majority of his career, and is coming off an ugly .208/.286/.334 slash over 423 plate appearances in his return to Seattle. This sounds precautionary, but Haniger isn’t someone fantasy managers should be targeting either way.

This one doesn’t come as a surprise after Haniger turned in his second consecutive down year, slashing .208/.286/.334 with 12 homers and 44 RBI in 423 plate appearances over 121 contests. The 33-year-old slugger’s over-the-fence pop has been trending in the wrong direction ever since belting a career-best 39 round-trippers back in 2022. At this point, it’s difficult to envision him carrying much fantasy appeal in 2025 or beyond.

Haniger was playing mostly versus lefties in recent weeks, but now he’s remaining on the bench even against them. He’s hit .209/.285/.338 in 414 plate appearances, and he’s actually been far worse against lefties (.477 OPS) than righties (.701 OPS). Haniger has a $15.5 million player option to remain with the Mariners next year, courtesy of the three-year, $43.5 million deal the Giants gave him prior to 2023.

Raleigh will get a break Sunday with Mitch Garver serving as George Kirby’s personal backstop again. Mitch Haniger will be the designated hitter Sunday with Luke Raley sitting against southpaw Andrew Heaney.

Haniger was on the bench to start this game and entered as a pinch-hitter in the top of the ninth with the Mariners trailing by five runs. He cut into the lead with a solo homer off Alex Vesia. The 33-year-old outfielder is up to 12 homers with 44 RBI while slashing .211/.290/.353 across 376 plate appearances.

Haniger is back in right field and batting seventh on Tuesday night following a two-game absence due to quad tightness. It doesn’t appear to be a serious concern moving forward.

The Mariners don’t face a left-hander until Saturday, so Haniger won’t necessarily be needed as a starter for several days. He can go if needed, though.

Haniger was replaced by Luke Raley in the fifth inning after going 2-for-2 at the dish. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now.

The double on a liner to right should have been caught by Ryan Vilade — or at least played into a single — but the fielder went for it and turned it into a walkoff. Haniger is batting .208/.293/.351 in 352 plate appearances, which isn’t good but also isn’t quite as bad as it looks, given than T-Mobile has played as baseball’s best park for pitchers this season. Haniger still might go back to losing playing time if Dominic Canzone performs well after coming off the IL on Thursday.