Julio Rodríguez returns to Mariners' lineup; Miles Mastrobuoni DFA'd

It's another new-look lineup for the beat-up Mariners, who welcomed back their star center fielder and swapped out one veteran utility player for another ahead of Friday's series opener against the Red Sox.

Julio Rodríguez returned to the lineup Friday, batting third and playing center field, after missing Thursday's game against Baltimore with a hamstring spasm.

"Getting here today, he felt pretty good about where he's at," M's manager Dan Wilson said. "We're obviously excited to get him back."

Weston Wilson, selected from Triple-A Tacoma on Friday afternoon, is making his Mariners debut playing third base and batting ninth against the Red Sox.

The Mariners are scheduled to face three straight left-handed starters from Boston - Ranger Suarez, Connelly Early and Payton Tolle in that order - and M's decision-makers chose the right-handed-hitting Wilson as the preferred platoon option for this series.

To make room for Wilson, the Mariners designated Miles Mastrobuoni for assignment.

Mastrobuoni, a 30-year-old left-handed hitter, played in eight games since being activated off the 60-day injured list (calf strain), appearing at first base, second base, third base and left field.

A popular player in the clubhouse, Mastrobuoni appeared in 76 games for the Mariners in 2025, hitting .250 with one home run, four doubles and a .620 OPS. In 27 plate appearances this season, he had five hits, two walks and 10 strikeouts.

"Always difficult to lose a player who's part of the family," Dan Wilson said. "What 'Stro' did here, particularly here in the last week, was outstanding. He filled a lot of holes and played in a lot of different spots for us. We were pretty banged up, and just can't thank him enough for his effort here."

The Mariners offense has largely struggled this season against left-handed pitching, ranking 27th out of 30 MLB teams with an 85 wRC+ (100 is league average).

Weston Wilson, in 174 career plate appearances against left-handed pitching, has a .248/.351/.456 slash line (.807 OPS) with seven homers, eight doubles, 21 walks and 48 strikeouts.

"We have a pretty left-handed heavy lineup and roster, so we're looking to get someone right-handed in here, and that's where Weston comes in," Dan Wilson said.

The Mariners signed Weston Wilson to a minor-league contract Sunday, a week after he was designated for assignment by the Orioles.

Weston Wilson appeared in 19 games with Baltimore this season, hitting .231 (9 for 39) with a .348 on-base percentage and a .333 slugging in 46 plate appearances.

He played in 100 games for the Phillies the past three seasons, hitting .240 with a .756 OPS and a 105 OPS+ (100 is average) and appearing at every position except shortstop and catcher.

Notes

-Luke Raley was a full participant in pregame batting practice Friday, an encouraging sign after he'd worked through a minor back ailment and the flu bug this week.

-J.P. Crawford, who made his M's debut at third base this week, was scheduled for a day off Friday but pinch-hit in the seventh inning, striking out.

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