Seattle Mariners infielder Tyler Smith went 2-for-5 and scored a run in the Mariners' 14-3 win Monday. It was his first multi-hit game of his career, and he is now hitting .231 through 13 at-bats this season. Smith is up with the team as starting shortstop Jean Segura rehabs an ankle injury and is backing up shortstop Taylor Motter for the time being. Smith is getting his first taste of the big leagues, but expect the infielder to be sent down whenever Segura is healthy and returns to the lineup.
Seattle Mariners utility player Taylor Motter will sit on Monday, and Tyler Smith will start for the Mariners against starter Adalberto Mejia and the Twins in Minnesota. Smith is making his third MLB start and is 1-for-8 with a double and an RBI in his MLB career. Motter has stepped up as the starting shortstop since Jean Segura was placed on the disabled list and has a .566 OPS over the last 14 days. Motter has provided speed for the Mariners and fantasy owners, stealing five bases over the last 30 days, but he only has a .436 OPS over that time span. The Mariners hope they get Segura back soon, but until then, Motter provides little stop-gap value in fantasy in AL-only leagues.
Tyler Smith Knocks In First Major League Run With Sacrifice Fly
Seattle Mariners infielder Tyler Smith recorded his first major league RBI in the Mariners comeback win over the Twins on Wednesday. Smith was called up after the injury to shortstop Jean Segura, providing backup insurance for Taylor Motter and the Mariners infield. He got the start last night, walking once and hitting a sacrifice fly to center to cut the Mariners deficit at the time to 5-3. In 50 games at Triple-A Tacoma, Smith was hitting .265 with eight doubles, five home runs, 18 runs batted in and 19 runs scored. Outside of a spot start here and there, Smith should see limited at-bats behind Motter.
