Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez was forced to leave Saturday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays due to tightness in his right quadriceps. This came after Rodriguez had been dealing with other minor injuries, including jamming his right thumb and fouling a ball off his left knee in previous games. His availability for the next game is uncertain, pending the results of an MRI. In Rodriguez’s absence, Luke Raley moved from first base to center field, and Ty France took over at first base. Despite Rodriguez’s early exit, the Mariners showed resilience in their comeback efforts, with Mitch Haniger hitting a three-run homer in the eighth inning. The Blue Jays ultimately secured the win, with rookie pitcher Yariel Rodriguez earning his first major league victory by pitching six scoreless innings. Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk also had a strong performance, going 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Looking ahead to Sunday’s game, the Mariners are set to face the Blue Jays in a matchup of right-handers – Toronto’s Jose Berrios and Seattle’s George Kirby. Berrios, who has won his last two outings, has a solid track record against the Mariners, while Kirby will be looking to bounce back after a tough loss to Baltimore in his previous start. The upcoming game presents an opportunity for both teams to make a statement and secure a series win.
