SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners could face similar roster decisions in evaluating the “tweak” in center fielder Leonys Martin’s left hamstring that surfaced last weekend when shortstop Ketel Marte suffered a sprained left thumb.
Is the injury serious enough for the disabled list and, if not, is the roster deep enough to play short-handed for a few days? The Mariners chose to put Marte on the DL and recalled Chris Taylor before replacing Taylor with Luis Sardinas.
Utilityman Shawn O’Malley replaced Martin in center field for the final six innings in Wednesday’s victory over Oakland. Left fielder Nori Aoki has also played two games this season in center.
The Mariners play their next five games at home, which means they must decide whether they are comfortable with an O’Malley/Aoki combination at Safeco Field. (If Martin figures to miss more than five games, a roster move seems certain.)
If Martin heads to the DL, and a move becomes necessary, the starting center fielders at Triple-A Tacoma and Double-A Jackson, Boog Powell and Guillermo Heredia, are already on the 40-man roster.
Powell, 23, is batting .279 with a .343 on-base percentage in 39 games for the Rainiers. Heredia, 25, is batting .293 with a .386 OBP in 35 games for the Generals.
Taylor’s future
The decision to demote Taylor back to Tacoma after only one game — he made two errors on routine plays Monday in a 5-0 loss to Oakland — calls into question his future in the organization.
Taylor batted just .137 last year in 37 big-league games before struggling this spring in competition with Sardinas to be club’s utility infielder. His departure this week after one game underscores growing concerns among club officials.
The Mariners appear set for the foreseeable future at second baseman and shortstop with Robinson Cano and Marte. They see Sardinas as true utility player, while Taylor is limited to the two middle-infield spots.
Further, the Mariners believe they have a rising prospect in Hi-A Bakersfield shortstop Drew Jackson. That seemingly puts Taylor in a box and positions him as a likely trade chip.
Minor details
Jackson outfielder Tyler O’Neill continues to make a push for promotion after reaching base at least once Wednesday for the 40th time in 43 games.
The Mariners’ mantra of “controlling the zone” was particularly emphasized this year to O’Neill, a power hitter who struck out 137 times last season in 407 at-bats at Hi-A Bakersfield while batting .260 and compiling a .316 on-base percentage.
This season, O’Neill has a .311 average and a .373 OBP for the Generals while trimming his strikeout rate. He also continues to show power with 10 doubles and nine homers. He had 21 and 32 last year at Bakersfield.
Looking back
It was one year ago Friday — May 27, 2015 — that Nelson Cruz splashed a three-run homer into the fish tank beyond the center-field wall at Tropicana Field with two outs in the ninth inning in a 3-0 victory over Tampa Bay.
The blast came against Rays closer Brad Boxberger and benefited Felix Hernandez, who pitched a four-hit shutout.
On tap
The Mariners continue their eight-game homestand by opening a three-game weekend series against Minnesota at 7:10 p.m. Friday at Safeco Field.
Right-hander Felix Hernandez (4-3 with a 2.21 ERA) will face Twins lefty Pat Dean (0-1, 3.68) in the series opener. The game can be seen on Root Sports Northwest and heard on 710 ESPN.
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