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First, the facts:
Mariners roster moves:
— Mariners PR (@MarinersPR) June 1, 2021
Marco Gonzales activated from 10-day IL (left forearm strain).
Taylor Trammell recalled from AAA Tacoma.
Kyle Lewis placed on 10-day IL (right meniscus tear).
Robert Dugger optioned to AAA Tacoma (post-game May 31).
Read: https://t.co/WZMVTO8BUw
Marco’s return, while welcome, was expected, and he’ll be limited to what sounds like around 60 pitches tonight since he hasn’t made a rehab start. Robert Dugger goes to Tacoma, which makes a good bit of sense since he had been the “bullpen game” starter while Marco was out.
The big one, that we were all waiting nervously for, is Kyle Lewis. A meniscus tear isn’t the worst-case scenario, but it feels pretty close to disastrous, especially given that KLew seemed fine in the aftermath of his ill-fated outfield lunge and the club was giving the “precautionary” quotes yesterday after the game. Per Servias on the radio, it’s a small tear, but they don’t know yet if he’ll need a scope to determine more about the nature of the injury. This is also the same knee and meniscus that Kyle injured in 2016. The best thing we can hang our hat on right now is the club’s claim that it’s a small tear, but there isn’t necessarily too much stock to be put in what are essentially PR quotes.
Realistically, if they can get away without surgery, he’s likely looking at a post-All-Star return. If surgery is necessary, well, see you in 2022, Kyle. It’s a very frustrating development for one of the team’s brightest young major-league lights who has fought knee trouble throughout his pro career.
Taylor Trammell gets his place, as many predicted yesterday—though Servais did note they’ll be using Jarred Kelenic in CF with Lewis out, giving him his first extended run at the spot at the big-league level. Trammell did nothing but impress after going back to Tacoma, posting a blistering 173 wRC+ (a more useful figure than a traditional slash line thanks to AAA’s bizarre offensive environment—wRC+ is calibrated to the league and the parks) with 6 home runs in just 80 PA. For Trammell in his return—with significant playing time available to him—the main goal will be to cut down on pop-ups and strikeouts. If he can do that, we can all have unreserved enjoyment of his personality, his dugout dances, and his bombs—which boy, we need it.