16. Seattle Mariners (28–30, minus-5, LT: 21)
Despite winning seven of eight, last week brought some bad news to the Mariners, who lost All-Star shortstop Jean Segura to the disabled list with an ankle injury. Segura was hitting a robust .341/,392/.462, and though he said he expects to return to the lineup before the end of June, Seattle can ill afford to lose a player of his caliber for an extended period of time, nor to have him at less than 100% when he does get back on the field.
Segura’s injury underscores what an injury nightmare the 2017 season has been for the Mariners. In addition to Segura, second baseman Robinson Cano, ace Felix Hernandez, breakout lefty James Paxton and outfielder Mitch Haniger have all spent time on the DL this year. The excellent RosterResource.com rates the M’s as the AL team hardest hit by injuries, given both the team’s number of DL trips and the list of front-line players who’ve been knocked out.
The good news? Other than the Astros and the Yankees, the American League has been a sea of mediocrity this year. If Seattle can ever get and stay healthy, a wild-card run could be possible for this talented team.
