Victor

Robles

Robles was a key contributor to the Mariners comeback before closer Andrés Muñoz imploded in the 10th inning. First, his sixth inning single cut the Astros’ lead to two runs. Then, his bunt single moved Cal Raleigh to second base before he scored the tying run on a ground rule double by Alan Roden in the eighth. Then, his RBI triple in the 10th pushed across the go-ahead run and his speed put him in position to score the all important insurance run on a sac fly just after. Those were each key hits in his final three at-bats to give the Mariners all the help they should’ve needed in an incredibly important series opener versus the division-leading Astros as they desperately try to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Ward has gone from a power hitter to a walk merchant in one season. After hitting 36 home runs in 2025 and posting a .317 on-base percentage and 11 percent walk rate, he has now hit seven home runs in 111 games with the Orioles, with a .383 on-base percentage and over a 17 percent walk rate. You wonder if the Mariners will try to turn him loose a little bit more, but this is a team that needed right-handed pop. This likely pushes Victor Robles back to the bench.

It appears that Seattle is proceeding with an abundance of caution after Rodríguez came down hard on the first-base bag immediately after taking an 85.9 mph throw from Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz off his left leg during Monday’s series opener. Mariners skipper Dan Wilson downplayed concern after the contest and is sounds like Rodríguez is day-to-day heading into Wednesday’s series finale. It’ll be Victor Robles sliding over to patrol center field in his absence.

Robles also threw out Edwin Arroyo at home after Arroyo made a surprising attempt to tag up on a 229-foot flyout from Sal Stewart in the second. Put it all together and it has to be Robles’s best game of the year to date. He was hitting just .210/.259/.240 with no homers and five RBI in 109 plate appearances.

Robles was pulled early from Thursday’s game after he was hit by a pitch in the fifth inning. Fortunately, he avoided any structural damage and just came away with a bruised wrist. He’s starting in center field and batting eighth against Blue Jays’ right-hander Dylan Cease on Friday evening in Seattle.

Robles said he was still in quite a bit of pain after the game. If neither he nor Julio Rodríguez can play Friday, the Mariners would probably use Luke Raley in center and Weston Wilson in right.

Robles was struck in the right forearm near his wrist. Presumably, he’ll head for X-rays to rule out any potential fractures. Be sure to check back on his status prior to setting lineups for the weekend.

It’s pretty remarkable that Raley has managed to avoid a trip to the injured list since he’s dealt with forearm and back issues, while also missing time due to illness, since mid-June. The 31-year-old will attempt to play through a left forearm strain that cropped up on a swing over the weekend. It’ll be Victor Robles in right field on Monday night in his place.

It’s an issue that Raley has battled at times throughout the season, and he tweaked it once again on a swing during Saturday’s ballgame. He’s considered day-to-day. Victor Robles will start in his place in right field and bat ninth for the M’s against Gavin Williams and the Guardians.

Canzone pulled up lame after an RBI fielder’s choice against the Red Sox on Sunday, and it’s not a huge surprise to see the 28-year-old out of action for Tuesday’s bout versus PIttsburgh. Victor Robles will be in left field with Randy Arozarena returning from the injured list as the designated hitter against Mitch Keller and the Pittsburgh bullpen.