Mariners Moose Tracks, 5/6/23: Kolten Wong, Luis García, and Matt Harvey

Two of the Mariners top rivals are succumbing to major pitching injuries.

By Anders Jorstad@AndersJorstad May 6, 2023, 7:00am PDT

San Francisco Giants v Houston Astros

Hello everyone and happy Saturday! Let’s dig into it.

In Mariners news...

Kolten Wong credits his mini bounce-back at the plate to a change in his swing preparation.
The City Connect jersey conspiracy begins...

How late in the design process did the @Mariners and @Nike change the primary City Connect logo? @jarredkelenic has the logo that was leaked months ago on his @nikediamond cleats tonight. As a longtime M's fan, way better option than the upside down trident IMO. @UniWatch pic.twitter.com/CwO1kxQhiG
— Dan Powell (@thedanpal) May 6, 2023

Around the league...

Former Mets star Matt Harvey has announced his retirement from baseball.
A pair of Angels arms are officially done for the season.

Jose Quijada and Austin Warren will both have Tommy John surgery.
— Sarah Valenzuela (@Sarah_IsabelVee) May 5, 2023

Meanwhile, Astros right-hander Luis García will also undergo Tommy John surgery.
Their minor league pitching depth has taken a hit, too.

Two other Astros' starting pitchers on the 40-man roster who are in the Minor Leagues are dealing with injuries. Forrest Whitley has minor soreness in his decelerator muscle (below shoulder) and will take a day or two off, according to a source. Shawn Dubin was placed on 7-day IL
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) May 6, 2023

Chronic back issues are tough, and if you’re the Yankees that’s definitely not something you want to hear after signing the guy to an six-year contract extension.

Carlos Rodon said he has been told his back issue is "chronic." He is tentatively scheduled to have the cortisone injection next week. Asked if a July return is realistic, he said: "I can't put a timeline on anything. I'll get this injection and I want to throw as soon as I can."
— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) May 5, 2023

A former Mariner prospect is headed to Boston.

Rangers Minor League trade: RHP Zack Littell is being sent to Boston for cash considerations.

Littell had a 2.25 ERA at Triple-A Round Rock this season.
— kennedi landry (@kennlandry) May 5, 2023

Michael Baumann at Fangraphs wonders what the long-term impacts of gambling might be on the sport of baseball.
Oakland A’s play-by-play announcer Glen Kuiper uttered a racial slur during yesterday’s pregame show. What the A’s will do about it remains to be seen.

Anders’ picks...

This is incredibly silly, but maybe that’s what we all need right now.