Mariners Moose Tracks, 9/12/20: Shed Long, Zack Wheeler, and A.J. Puk

Good morning everyone! We’ve got a flurry of news to report as we get our Saturday going. Let’s get to it.

In Mariners news...

• Ryan Divish at The Seattle Times takes stock of J.P. Crawford’s place with the franchise at this moment.
• Braden Bishop has partnered with Dicks’ Drive-In to help feed firefighters across the state.
• Dylan Moore credits his improvements this season to time spent with Dee Strange-Gordon during the winter, reports Shannon Drayer.
• In case you missed it...

• Meanwhile, Mallex Smith stays in the organization.

• In some more disappointing news, Shed Long has been placed on the injured list with a shin fracture that he’s supposedly been dealing with since early Spring. It sounds like he’s doubtful to return this season.

Around the league...

• Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic reports that some players aren’t totally comfortable with the idea of extended quarantines during the playoffs, which is proving to be a major roadblock in planning the postseason. ($)
• Zack Wheeler of the Phillies suffered a very strange injury while trying to put on his pants.
• Baseball sure is strange sometimes.

• Things aren’t looking promising for the Big Maple.

• Dan Szymborski at Fangraphs thinks the Rangers’ rebuild might take longer than initially expected.
• Remember Miguel Batista? You might soon see him in a courtroom near you!

• The Giants and Padres have postponed their weekend series after a member of the Giants organization tested positive for COVID-19.
• Injuries have once again come to bite top A’s prospect A.J. Puk, who will be getting surgery on his ailing shoulder.