The Seattle Mariners' options to replace Robles' roster spot

A rough weekend in the Bay Area, which saw the Seattle Mariners fall to 3-7 on the season after a sweep by the San Francisco Giants, left manager Dan Wilson looking ahead.

“We are only 10 games into this thing. We’ve got a long way to go, no doubt about it,” he said. “It’s time to regroup, get back home, (play) a couple of division opponents and take it from there.”

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It wasn’t quite pushing the reset button after the disappointing start, but due to Victor Robles’ injury, the regroup could very well include some reset at certain positions should Robles –who suffered a yet-to-be-fully-diagnosed shoulder injury Sunday afternoon – miss significant time. How far the Mariners go in juggling their big league roster remains to be seen, but with the flexibility they currently have, there would appear to be several options available to them.

With Luke Raley barely playing first base in spring training or early in the season, it would seem moving him back to the outfield would be the first move made with Rowdy Tellez and Donovan Solano taking his starts at first.

That would cover Robles in the outfield. Filling his spot as the leadoff hitter will be tougher as there simply is no replacement on the 40-man roster for what Robles has brought to the lineup since joining the team last year.

There is an open roster spot, however, and the task will be to add whatever best can impact the team. With the ability of both Dylan Moore and Miles Mastrobuoni to cover days off for outfielders – and Moore able to play there on a more regular basis should they want a platoon partner for Raley – they don’t necessarily have to add another infielder.

If they do elect to bring up an outfielder, Dominic Canzone would be an option – but not ideal as he hits left-handed – as would Samad Taylor (right-handed). They could choose to add a first baseman instead and take another look at Tyler Locklear, who showed some improvement at first this spring and would be coming off a 4-for-5 day with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.

An infielder, likely Leo Rivas, would be an option as well, particularly if they decide to play Moore in right field in a platoon situation.

It will be interesting to see if third base plays into this decision. It is somewhat concerning that Jorge Polanco, who had offseason knee surgery, was out of the lineup during the final two games in San Francisco with what Wilson called knee soreness.

If Polanco is having that trouble now, it seems it would be difficult to get to 100% while playing, and we are only 10 games in. He wasn’t 100% at his new position either, as he didn’t get a full spring training to learn third base and is still on a throwing program to improve his arm strength.

On a team that is offensively challenged, Polanco’s bat should be the priority. Would it benefit him to take the wear and tear of defense off the table for now and make him the permanent designated hitter? Before the game Sunday, Wilson acknowledged it is a possibility.

“We’re looking at everything,” Wilson said. “Just kind of see where we’re at with it all, and that’s a fair question. Just kind of assess as we go. Whether the defense adds more stress or not, it’s hard to tell.”

Prospect Ben Williamson, who draws raves for his defense at third, is off to a good start in Triple-A, hitting .270 with just four strikeouts in 37 at-bats. He is not expected to hit for power much and only has nine games above Double-A, so it is likely too soon for him to join the Mariners – but it’s not out of the question and is worth keeping an eye on.

Notes

• General manager Justin Hollander will give an injury update (scheduled before the Robles injury) before Monday’s series opener against the Houston Astros at T-Mobile Park. We should hear more about Robles, whether or not reliever Matt Brash (who threw a bullpen Sunday in San Francisco) is ready for rehab appearances, and the latest on George Kirby (on the injured list with shoulder inflammation).

• Pitching probables for the series against the Astros:

Monday: Logan Gilbert vs Hayden Wesneski Tuesday: Luis Castillo vs TBA

Wednesday: Luis F. Castillo vs TBA

• Radio coverage of Monday’s series opener against Houston on Seattle Sports 710 AM and the Seattle Sports app begins at 5:30 p.m. with the pregame show. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m.