**DETROIT** — Julio Rodriguez assured everyone he was “all good” as he exited the visitors’ clubhouse late Wednesday night, notably walking without a noticeable limp.
The Mariners’ star, who was playing in his third game since returning from a high ankle sprain, left the game in the eighth inning after re-aggravating the injury.
However, it seems the Mariners have avoided a more serious setback.
“It’s not swollen or anything. It’s more of a scar-tissue issue,” said manager Scott Servais. “He’s day to day, and we’ll see how he feels tomorrow. I think it startled him more than anything.”
Rodriguez showed clear discomfort after tweaking his ankle while dodging a 95-mph fastball from former Mariner reliever Will Vest, which came in high and inside.
After being examined by team trainer Taylor Bennett, Rodriguez remained in the game momentarily, delivering a soft single to left field with the bases loaded, driving in Victor Robles from third base to extend the Mariners’ lead to 2-0.
“He hung in there, finished the at-bat, and drove in a crucial run,” Servais said.
Rodriguez was then replaced by a pinch-runner, Dominic Canzone, and appeared visibly frustrated while sitting on the bench.
“Julio wants to play,” Servais noted. “Like I said, we’ll see how he is tomorrow. I don’t think it’s anything serious. I hope not. He’s not going to make it worse, from what I’ve been told. So he’ll have to push through it. He might need a day off tomorrow, and we’ll go from there.”
Earlier in the game, Rodriguez narrowly missed hitting a home run, launching a 406-foot shot that was caught just shy of the center field fence. According to MLB Statcast projections, it would have been a home run in 20 other ballparks, including T-Mobile Park.
Rodriguez returned to the lineup as the designated hitter on Sunday, following nearly three weeks on the injured list, during the Mariners’ rare ESPN broadcast.
“I want to contribute in every way possible, and I feel the best way to do that is by being on the field, no matter the circumstances,” Rodriguez said on Tuesday. “Just being on the field is something I’m really happy and grateful for.”
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