Inside The Mariners

Seattle Mariners Infielder Begins Rehab Assignment With Triple-A Tacoma

Second baseman Ryan Bliss will play his first games in nearly five months with the Tacoma Rainiers.
Seattle Mariners second baseman Ryan Bliss lays down a tag during a game against the San Francisco Giants on April 5 at Oracle Park.
Seattle Mariners second baseman Ryan Bliss lays down a tag during a game against the San Francisco Giants on April 5 at Oracle Park. | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

In this story:


The Seattle Mariners have less than 30 games left in the regular season and one of the team's Opening Day starters is nearing his return after a lengthy injury.

Second baseman Ryan Bliss has been on the injured list with torn left biceps since April 9. He suffered the injury taking a swing during a game against the Houston Astros on April 8.

The Mariners' Triple-A affiliate, the Tacoma Rainiers, announced in a post on "X" that Bliss began a rehab assignment with the team Thursday.

Bliss entered the season as Seattle's starting second baseman after he won a competition including Dylan Moore, Leo Rivas and Cole Young during the team's spring training.

Since his injury, Young, who began the season as a top 100 prospect, was called up May 31 and has been the team's starting second baseman since. He's platooned with infielder/designated hitter Jorge Polanco in recent weeks.

Bliss scored one run in 11 games before he got hurt. He hit a double and a home run with three RBIs and slashed .200/.282/.314 with a .596 OPS.

Seattle Mariners second baseman Ryan Bliss runs after hitting a homer against the Houston Astros on April 7 at T-Mobile Park.
Seattle Mariners second baseman Ryan Bliss runs after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros on April 7 at T-Mobile Park. | Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

There's a question about how Bliss will slot into the team's roster now that Young is entrenched as the team's starting second baseman.

The Mariners could platoon the right-handed Bliss at second base against left-handed pitching, but there's also concern about how the team will structure the roster with imending result of outfielder Victor Robles' appeal of his 10-game suspension.

Whatever the result of the appeal, Robles will have to serve the games levied against him on the major league roster, which will leave Seattle a man down. The roster will also expand from 26 to 28 players Sept. 1.

Whatever the Mariners choose to do, there will be more options with Bliss back in the fold.

Related Stories on Seattle Mariners

TAKEAWAYS FROM MARINERS SERIES FINALE AGAINST PADRES: The Mariners were able to claim the inaugural Vedder Cup while closing out a successful homestand. CLICK HERE

MARINERS THIRD BASEMAN MATCHES CAREER-HIGH AGAINST PADRES: In the 12th year of his career, Eugenio Suarez tied an incredible career milestone. CLICK HERE

MARINERS STARTING PITCHER SEES LEAGUE-BEST STREAK COME TO AN END: Bryan Woo's stretch of longevity came to an end in a 4-3 win against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. CLICK HERE

Follow Seattle Mariners on SI on social media

Continue to follow our Inside the Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on "X" @Teren_Kowatsch and @RefuseToLosePod. You can subscribe to the "Refuse to Lose" podcast by clicking HERE.


Published