Rob

Refsnyder

Refsnyder’s third homer was a 368-footer that would have stayed in play in 15 of the 30 parks. Mariners manager Dan Wilson has been getting criticism for sticking with Refsnyder against lefties amid a horrible start to his season. Even after today, the 35-year-old Refsnyder is hitting just .122/.200/.243 in 85 plate appearances.

Mariners manager Dan Wilson said Friday that Refsnyder is dealing with a couple minor ailments, which explains why he was kept out of Friday’s lineup. The 35-year-old veteran lefty-mashing specialist should be ready to return in a couple days, if not sooner.

Refsnyder came up to hit against Jojo Romero off the bench, and he launched his second homer of the season to give Seattle the 3-2 lead and ultimately the victory. He still is hitting just .121/.211/.303 on the season, but Refsnyder has been too good against southpaws to be remotely concerned about his roster spot. He’s not going to get enough playing time against right-handers to garner roster consideration in fantasy leagues.

Dad strength. Refsnyder’s first hit as a Seattle Mariner comes shortly after returning off paternity leave, and it was a leadoff blast off MacKenzie Gore. The 35-year-old is still hitting just .045/.180/.182, but his history of destroying left-handed pitching makes it hard to be too concerned after just a three-week sample.

Refsnyder had been away from the team since Tuesday. The 35-year-old is hitless in 17 at-bats for the Mariners this season with a 5/3 K/BB ratio in his limited action.

Refsnyder won’t be available for the Mariners for up to three days while he welcomes a new family member. Patrick Wisdom will be available off the bench in Refsnyder’s absence.

No surprise here with Yankees ace Max Fried taking the ball on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Park. Dominic Canzone is also taking a seat in this one. Raley will continue sitting against most left-handed starters, but he’ll do enough damage against righties to have some appeal in deeper mixed leagues. It’ll be Victor Robles in right field with lefty-masher Rob Refsnyder at DH.

Refsnyder will hit at the top of the lineup in his first start as a Mariner with left-hander Joey Cantillo on the bump for the Guardians. It’s intriguing if only because Refsnyder has handled southpaws so well in his career, and he’ll get a chance to be driven in by some very good baseball players. Brendan Donovan will move down to sixth with Refsnyder at the top, and Dom Canzone is out of the lineup.

It’s probably a day-to-day injury for Refsnyder, but we’ll see. He’s slated to start against lefties for Seattle, typically in right field or at DH.

Refsnyder has spent the last four seasons with the Red Sox, all of which he served in a part-time role, playing primarily against lefties. That is where the 34-year-old shines, slashing .302/.399/.560 against lefties last year with seven home runs and a .259 ISO. However, for his career, Refsnyder hits just .229/.301/.332 against righties with a 25 percent strikeout rate. The Mariners will use him on the short side of a platoon with Dominic Canzone, who could open as the starting designated hitter.