Julio Rodriguez returns from concussion list with decisive RBI
Seattle activated Julio Rodriguez from the seven-day concussion list Saturday before he rejoined the Mariners against San Francisco.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
2 min read
Julio Rodriguez was back in Seattle’s order Saturday, and the Mariners’ center fielder marked his return with the game-winning RBI, according to the Associated Press.
The Mariners activated Rodriguez from the seven-day injured list before their game against the San Francisco Giants. The club had placed him on the concussion list July 3, one day after he was hit in the back of the head by a ball during Seattle’s 1-0 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
Rodriguez, a three-time All-Star, returned as Seattle’s designated hitter and was listed second in the batting order against San Francisco, the Associated Press reported.
Seattle opened a roster spot for Rodriguez by designating utility player Miles Mastrobuoni for assignment.
Mariners eased Rodriguez back in
General manager Justin Hollander said Rodriguez went through a fuller workload Friday, including pregame drills, running the bases and hitting against a pitching machine, according to the Associated Press.
Hollander said before Rodriguez’s return that the club wanted to see how he responded after going through a complete pregame routine. He said Rodriguez had gone a couple of weeks without some of the usual baseball activities needed before a full return.
Rodriguez’s return gives Seattle one of its central bats back after a stretch on the concussion list. The 24-year-old played a career-high 160 games last season, according to the Associated Press.
Before the injury this season, Rodriguez had appeared in 87 games. He was batting .259 with 15 doubles, 14 home runs, 40 RBIs and 12 stolen bases.
Donovan begins rehab work
The Mariners also had movement elsewhere in the organization. All-Star utility player Brendan Donovan began a rehab assignment Friday with Triple-A Tacoma, according to the Associated Press.
Donovan has been on the 10-day injured list since May because of a left groin muscle strain.
Before joining Tacoma, Donovan appeared Wednesday for Seattle’s Arizona Complex League team. The Associated Press reported he went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and one walk in that game.
The roster shuffle leaves Seattle with Rodriguez back in a run-producing spot while Donovan continues working toward his own return.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.