SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners reinstated outfielder Jarred Kelenic off the injured list on Monday less than two months after he broke a bone in his left foot by kicking a cooler out of frustration.
Kelenic’s return is a needed boost for Seattle following a disappointing 3-7 road trip that has left the Mariners 2½ games behind in the AL West race and holding a slim lead for the final wild-card spot in the American League. Seattle opens a six-game homestand on Monday night against the Los Angeles Angels.
Kelenic was hitting .252 with 11 homers and 45 RBIs in 90 games prior to getting hurt on July 19 when he kicked a water cooler following a ninth-inning strikeout during a loss to Minnesota.
A day after injuring himself, Kelenic was apologetic, fighting through tears for letting his emotions get out of hand and expressing his frustration.
“I basically was put on a timeout for the last month, month and a half, because of something that I did,” Kelenic said. “It made me realize that something that I did affected not only just me, but affected my teammates, affected the fans, the organization, and that’s just something that I’ll never do, again, because of how much it hurt inside. It makes me realize how lucky I am to be out here and play every single day. I took it for granted a little bit there.”
Kelenic did not need surgery and started a rehab assignment at Triple-A Tacoma on Aug. 31. In 10 rehab games, Kelenic hit .306 with three doubles, one homer, five RBIs and eight runs scored.
“It’s great,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said. “Nice to have him back. He is fresh, he is ready to go. Hopefully he gives us a little spark.”
Seattle optioned outfielder Cade Marlowe to Tacoma to clear a roster spot for Kelenic. Marlowe appeared in 34 games with the Mariners and hit .239 with three homers and 11 RBIs. Marlowe had one of the biggest hits of the season with a ninth-inning grand slam as Seattle rallied for a 5-3 win over the Angels on Aug. 3.
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