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3Bplay · 01-18-2026, 04:12 PM

MARINERS' RODRIGUEZ OPENING DAY IN DOUBT
All-Star struck in ribs by thrown ball

By MLB.com staff
03/01/2026

Back on Tuesday, the Mariners' All-Star center fielder Julio Rodriguez was struck by a thrown ball in a play at second base; a play that resulted in a double but forced him from the game as Mike Tauchman's short-hop throw was missed by shortstop Brayan Rocchio and struck him on the right side as he slid into second. Rodriguez hit a soft single over the infield to right-center in the first inning, and decided to try and leg out a double on the play as Tauchman didn't get to the ball in a timely manner.

They took him out of the game as a precaution, and it wasn't until the next day that Rodriguez felt more than just discomfort from the site of the injury.

"It was just an unfortunate play," said manager Dan Wilson after the game. "Julio saw an opportunity to take an extra base; and while I think it might have been unnecessary given in the moment, we always want to be aggressive on the basepaths and take the extra base when we can. His intuition just kicked in, and unfortunately it knocked him from the game."

After being listed day-to-day, the Mariners decided to place him on the injured list as an MRI revealed on the following day that one of his ribs was broken, and has not played since. It throws his status into doubt for Opening Day, as he could end up missing up to a month with the injury per Wilson.

01-18-2026, 04:12 PM	#50
3Bplay Major Leagues Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 363	MLB News (03/01) MARINERS' RODRIGUEZ OPENING DAY IN DOUBT All-Star struck in ribs by thrown ball By MLB.com staff 03/01/2026 Back on Tuesday, the Mariners' All-Star center fielder Julio Rodriguez was struck by a thrown ball in a play at second base; a play that resulted in a double but forced him from the game as Mike Tauchman's short-hop throw was missed by shortstop Brayan Rocchio and struck him on the right side as he slid into second. Rodriguez hit a soft single over the infield to right-center in the first inning, and decided to try and leg out a double on the play as Tauchman didn't get to the ball in a timely manner. They took him out of the game as a precaution, and it wasn't until the next day that Rodriguez felt more than just discomfort from the site of the injury. "It was just an unfortunate play," said manager Dan Wilson after the game. "Julio saw an opportunity to take an extra base; and while I think it might have been unnecessary given in the moment, we always want to be aggressive on the basepaths and take the extra base when we can. His intuition just kicked in, and unfortunately it knocked him from the game." After being listed day-to-day, the Mariners decided to place him on the injured list as an MRI revealed on the following day that one of his ribs was broken, and has not played since. It throws his status into doubt for Opening Day, as he could end up missing up to a month with the injury per Wilson.