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Dominic Canzone’s return could create more platoon roles for Mariners
After missing the past month with a shoulder injury, Dominic Canzone was back in the Mariners lineup Wednesday, batting seventh and playing left field.
It’s a welcome return for Scott Servais and, now, a welcome challenge for the Mariners manager to find enough playing time for a reinforced roster.
Shortstop J.P. Crawford (oblique strain) was scheduled to play in one more rehab game with the Tacoma Rainiers on Wednesday night, and then rejoin the Mariners before their series opener in Baltimore on Friday.
Crawford was hit in the right hand in the fifth inning Wednesday on an inside pitch from Salt Lake Bees left-hander Adam Kolarek. Crawford slammed his helmet in anger and immediately left the game.
When Crawford does return to the Mariners, Dylan Moore is expected to return to his usual utility role and give Servais the sort of depth off the bench he envisioned coming into the season.
“It just gives you more options,” Servais said, adding: “It’s a good problem to have.”
Depending on the matchup with the opposing pitcher, Servais could employ a timeshare at four positions on the field — left field, right field, third base and perhaps even first base.
Raley, after a sluggish start, has been the Mariners’ hottest hitter in May, and he’s earned a regular role, and he’ll almost certainly be in the lineup against right-handed starting pitchers going forward.
Raley’s positional flexibility also means Servais can insert him in the lineup at all three outfield positions or first base. It also allows for the 33-year-old Haniger to have regular off days.
“We’ve not been able to do a lot of that, as you’ve seen Dylan Moore has played a ton at shortstop [and] Mitch Haniger has played a ton in right field,” Servais said. “I think it is important. That’s kind of how the team was built. So we [do] have the opportunity to give guys a blow and keep them fresh.
“I do think a fresh Mitch Haniger or D-Mo … you probably end up getting more production out of them because they are fresh, even though they might not have quite as many at-bats in a given week. That’s the goal.”
Promotions for Williamson and Cali
Two of the hottest hitters in the Mariners’ minor-league system have earned promotions.
Third baseman Ben Williamson is heading to Class AA Arkansas after an impressive month with the High-A Everett AquaSox in which he posted a .315/.408/.459 slash line in 29 games.
Williamson, 23, a second-round pick in 2023, has also been lauded as one of the best defensive third baseman in all the minors.
Caleb Cali has been promoted from Low-A Modesto to take Williamson’s roster spot in Everett.
Cali, 23, a 16th-round pick last year, has been one of the pleasant surprises of the year among Mariners’ prospects, posting a .337/.443/535 slash line in 26 games with Modesto.
