The Mariners roster got a major shakeup today, with the club announcing a huge slate of moves. First baseman was designated for a signment while shortstop and outfielder each landed on the 10-day injured list. Crawford has a right hand fracture while Rodrguez has a right high ankle sprain. In corresponding moves, the club recalled infielders , and outfielder . The writing seemed to be on the wall for France a few days ago. Seattle placed the 2022 All-Star on outright waivers earlier this week in hopes that another club would claim the remainder of his $6.775MM salary. Earlier today, Chris Cotillo of Ma sLive reported that France had gone unclaimed on waivers. The Mariners didnt have to outright France to a minor league affiliate they could have simply decided to keep him on the roster, as the Blue Jays did with earlier this month when he also cleared waivers but it seems they are committed to moving on. Now that hes been designated for a signment, hes off the 40-man roster and they will technically have some time to explore trade scenarios. With France clearing waivers, the Ms at least know that they cant just get rid of his salary, though they could perhaps eat some of that as a means of facilitating a deal. France has enough service time to reject an outright a signment in favor of free agency while retaining the remainder of his salary, so hell likely end up released if no trade is worked out in Tyler Lydon Jersey the coming days. From 2020-22, the thought of placing France on waivers wouldve seemed silly. The former Padres prospect went from San Diego to Seattle as part of the trade at the 2020 deadline and posted a terrific .284/.354/.441 slash (127 wRC+) with 40 homers, 64 doubles and three triples. France had posted strong offense throughout his minor league tenure but drew concern from scouts about his lack of an obvious defensive home. He worked himself into a fine defender at first base though, posting average or better marks there up until an acro s-the-board decline this season. Frances glove isnt the only thing thats taken a step back. He was barely a league-average hitter in 2023 and has seen his production dwindle further in 2024. Over his past 1005 big league plate appearances, hes posted a punchle s .241/.328/.361 slash. France is still getting on base at a decent clip, but his strikeout rate has spiked from 16.4% (2020-22) to 24.4% in 2024. This years 19.7% line-drive rate is a personal low, and Frances 46.3% grounder rate is the second-highest mark of his career. For a player whose average sprint speed ranks in the seventh percentile of MLB hitters (via Statcast), an uptick in grounders is particularly problematic. Though his recent play hasnt been up to his prior standards, France has plenty of track record. Hes been a solid right-handed bat whos primarily played first base in the majors but has dabbled at the opposite infield corner and at second base as well. If he ends up released, a new team could sign France and would only owe him the prorated league minimum for any time spent on the big league roster, as the Mariners will remain on the hook for the rest of this years salary. France would also be controllable for a new club through the 2025 campaign. He opened the current season with 4.089 years of MLB service and has already added another 117 days. Thatll push him to five-plus years. A new team could go through the arbitration proce s with him this offseason, or they could push for a more palatable club option to be tacked on, as the Tigers did with last August following his release with the D-backs. Crawford was hit by a pitch on the hand in last nights game and suffered a fracture. Rodrguez collided with the outfield wall on Sunday while attempting to make a catch and was visibly injured, with video relayed by Fox Sports MLB. Its unclear how long the Mariners expect to be without those two players, but they are notable blows for a club that has already been plummeting of late. Just over a month ago, the club had a ten-game lead in the American League West. But some poor play from Seattle combined with a hot streak from the Astros now have the Ms percentage points behind Houston and also 3.5 games back of a Wild Card spot. The timing of the injuries is not only unfortunate for that reason but also because Rodrguez was starting to heat up after a rough first half. He was hitting just .247/.297/.327 for a wRC+ of 83 through the end of June but had slashed .375/.434/.688 since the calendar flipped to July. That resurgence will now have to be put on hold for as long as hes out. Crawford has been scuffling this year as well, though luck could be a big factor there. He is slashing .204/.299/.347 on the year but his .243 batting average is well below his .293 career rate and the .289 league average in 2024. That has dragged his offense from last years 134 wRC+ to 90 this year, though hes still been able to contribute by stealing five bases and providing above average shortstop defense. Ideally, his luck would have evened out in time but he wont have that opportunity for as long as hes on the IL. The Ms will now have to try to pull themselves out of this tailspin without contributions from France, Crawford or Rodrguez. Locklear is covering first base today and could get some regular run there going forward, with perhaps factoring in as well. Utility player is at shortstop in tonights lineup and may be the regular there, with Rivas backing him up. is in center field and figures to be joined in the clubs outfield mix by Canzone, , and . With the trade deadline now just a week away, the Mariners figure to be looking for more offense in general and its been that they will be aggre sive in doing so. At this point, theres nothing to suggest that either Crawford or Rodrguez is facing a significant absence but it nonethele s could heighten the clubs focus on adding a bat or two. The Mariners are hitting a collective .217/.298/.364 this year for a 93 wRC+, which places them 22nd in the league. Alex English Jersey