Victor

Robles

Robles has gotten off to a frosty start at the dish, hitting just .158 through seven Cactus League contests, but he’s firmly entrenched as the Mariners’ leadoff man entering the regular season. The 27-year-old speedster benefitted tremendously from a change of scenery last year, batting .328 with four homers and a staggering 30 stolen bases over his final 77 contests after arriving in Seattle. He started making harder contact and cutting back on the strikeouts during that span, which backs up the idea that it wasn’t a mirage. He’s a borderline top-50 outfielder for fantasy purposes this spring with the potential to vastly outperform his draft position if last year’s breakthrough carries over.

Randy Arozarena is getting a day of rest Saturday. Robles was able to sit Friday, but the breakout star will get a chance to add to his numbers before the end of the year against the Athletics in the second-to-late game.

Luke Raley and Josh Rogas are also sitting, though since the Mariners are facing a lefty in JP Sears, that’s typical. Luis Urías, Mitch Haniger and Leo Rivas are getting rare starts tonight.

Filling up that box score, Robles is now 28-for-29 stealing bases in 75 games for the Mariners. He’s batting .397/.481/.524 with 12 steals and 20 runs scored in 20 games this month.

Robles has been dealing with a hand issue and didn’t start Saturday’s win over Texas, although he did make an impact with a steal late in the contest He’ll hit leadoff with a chance to steal more bags and get driven in by a red-hot Julio Rodriguez against southpaw Andrew Heaney.

Robles was also initially in Thursday’s lineup, but he wound up being scratched because of the hand injury he suffered Tuesday. Dylan Moore, who started both games while Robles was hurt, heads back to the bench tonight.

Robles missed Wednesday’s game after injuring his hand trying to steal home on Tuesday. It seemed that he would only miss one game, but the Mariners will go with Dylan Moore at second base instead with Jorge Polanco sliding to DH.

Robles missed Wednesday’s game with a hand issue that occurred on a poor baserunning decision where he tried to steal home with the bases loaded and Justin Turner in a 3-0 count. The mistake that cost the Mariners big time in Tuesday’s loss. Regardless, Robles is back in there on Thursday, and he’s been one of the hottest hitters in baseball over the last month so he needs to be in fantasy lineups as well.

Robles was the designated hitter on Tuesday. He was hit by a pitch in the first inning, but stayed in to run the bases. He was thrown out at home on a bizarre steal attempt with the bases loaded. When his spot in the order came up again, Mitch Garver hit for Robles. It’s unclear what kind of injury Robles, who also left Sunday’s game with an apparent injury, sustained.

Robles went 3-for-4 before the exit. The outfielder appeared to be hobbling earlier in the contest, and the Mariners have decided to remove the 27-year-old a couple innings later. Luke Raley has taken Robles’ place.