In a series of roster moves Tuesday that dramatically reshaped their lineup, the Mariners officially said goodbye to popular first baseman Ty France and placed center fielder Julio Rodriguez (ankle) and shortstop JP Crawford (broken pinky) on injured reserve.
The decision to designate the 30-year-old for assignment had been expected since the Mariners placed him on an irrevocable waiver list Sunday. MLB teams then had 48 hours to claim France (and his remaining salary).
No one had claimed him as of Tuesday afternoon. That means France is a free agent and can sign with any team for the league’s veteran minimum.
Rodriguez, meanwhile, tested his sprained ankle with trainers Tuesday. His ankle didn’t respond as the team had hoped, so the decision was made to place him on the 10-day injured list.
Manager Scott Servais said there is no specific timetable for Rodriguez’s return, but the team is hopeful he won’t need much more than the minimum 10 days on the IL.
Crawford was hit by a pitch from Angels’ Tyler Anderson in the first inning Monday night, and X-rays revealed a hairline fracture. Servais, again, didn’t give a timeline for Crawford’s potential return, but the Mariners shortstop likely will be out for several weeks.
Victor Robles was in Rodriguez’s center field spot for Tuesday night’s game against the Angels, and Dylan Moore will once again be Crawford’s regular replacement at shortstop.
To fill the vacancies, the Mariners promoted four players from Triple-A Tacoma: OF Jonatan Clase; 1B Tyler Locklear; OF Cade Marlowe; and INF Leo Rivas.
Clase was sent back to Tacoma after Monday’s loss to the Angels. He was then recalled Tuesday afternoon when the Mariners placed Rodriguez on injured reserve.
Locklear, a 23-year-old rookie, is in his second stint with the Mariners this season. He was in the lineup Tuesday, playing first base and batting sixth.
Veteran Jason Vosler, 30, was in the Mariners’ lineup for the first time Tuesday, pitching seventh as the designated hitter.
Marlowe, in his first stint with the Mariners this season, was in the lineup playing right field and batting ninth.
This story will be updated.
