5/14/21: Open Game Thread

Well, last night wasn’t quite the storybook beginning for Jarred Kelenic and Logan Gilbert. While there was plenty of things to like about Gilbert’s debut (Mikey has a great breakdown here), he was hit around a little bit, and I feel like no one is more bummed by Kelenic’s 0-for-4 night last night than himself. Nevertheless, the season marches on, and while we’ll have to wait another few days for Logan to get his second shot, Jarred is atop the lineup once again.

In case you missed it, both Evan White and Ty France hit the injured list this afternoon; White went down with what’s being reported as a hip flexor strain he sustained when making a nice diving play last night, and France’s wrist finally forced the team’s hand. I expect Evan to have a lengthy rehab stint in Tacoma - in fact, it wouldn’t be a shock to see them use the maximum twenty games, if only for him to get some confidence back and work on changes in a low-pressure environment. France is a little trickier; mired in a brutal slump, it’s definitely easy to point to him catching a fastball to the arm a few weeks back. Here’s to hoping that some time off will have him back to his raking ways. Donovan Walton and Jack Mayfield have taken their spots on the 26-man roster, although neither are in the game tonight, although José Marmolejos is getting his first start since the 9th. Yay? Chris Flexen will look to bounce back after a somewhat shaky start against the Rangers, while Aaron Civale has been on a roll to start 2021, delivering seven innings of one-run ball against the Reds his last time out. Let’s try to get a hit before the eighth tonight, okay, guys?

Game Time: 7:10 PDT

TV: ROOT Sports NW, MLB.tv

Radio: 710 ESPN Seattle, MLB At Bat