Mike

Carp

Carp hasn’t appeared in a major league game since back in 2014 with the Rangers and he didn’t play professional baseball anywhere in 2018, but the 33-year-old first baseman is looking to make a comeback.

Smoak strained his groin last Wednesday and hasn’t made a start since. He should be available to pinch-hit. Mike Carp is starting at first base Monday vs. the Tribe.

The game was called after seven innings. The Mariners scored nine runs in the third, with Carp driving in all five of his runs during the frame. He has 43 RBI in just 70 games for the season. Miguel Olivo (60), Justin Smoak (50) and Ichiro Suzuki (44) are the only Mariners with more RBI.

Tough break for the Mariners. Carp injured the shoulder diving for Kurt Suzuki’s line drive double in the fourth inning Thursday. Carlos Peguero has been recalled to take Carp’s place on the active roster and will likely share time in left field with Casper Wells. Chone Figgins could also see increased time in the outfield with Kyle Seager taking over at third base.

While the top of Seattle’s lineup shone brightly on day one of the regular season, the middle of the batting order did not fare as well. Newcomer Jesus Montero also went 0-for-4 with three runners left on base, while Matt Carp went 0-for-4 while stranding only one runner. Averaging 24 years of age, these young big hitters are important ingredients to Seattle’s hopes for playoff contention in 2012.

Carp has been the DH in his first six games, batting .167 (4-for-24) with a double and two RBI. He’ll likely need to make it through a few games in the outfield before the Mariners consider activating him from the disabled list.

Carp was originally expected to start in left field, but he’s apparently not ready to play the field yet. The Mariners won’t activate him from the DL until he is able to play a handful of games in the outfield without discomfort in his shoulder.

That was the assumption after Olivo left Monday’s game and Carp confirmed via his Twitter account Tuesday morning that he will be joining up with the big club. The 25-year-old has struggled during his rehab stint with Triple-A Tacoma, batting just .137 (7-for-51) with zero homers and a 14/2 K/BB ratio, but he’ll likely slide into the DH spot while Jesus Montero and John Jaso share playing time behind the plate.

Olivo exited Monday’s game in the ninth inning due to the injury. No official word from the team on his status moving forward, but a stint on the disabled list is a real possibility. The M’s could activate Mike Carp (shoulder) in that case while Jesus Montero and John Jaso would share playing time behind the plate.

Carp was placed on the disabled list last week with a sprained right shoulder. Carlos Peguero was optioned down to the minors on Wednesday, so Casper Wells figures to get most of the playing time in left field until Carp is ready to return.