PEORIA, Ariz. – Jarred Kelenic, the top Seattle Mariners, will be sidelined because of an overloaded adductor in his left knee.
Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said an MRI on Saturday revealed the injury. No timeline was given for the outfielder’s return.
“While we are disappointed to see Jarred sidelined, we are relieved that the long-term outlook is positive,” said Dipoto. “We are all looking forward to seeing him back on the field in the near future.”
Kelenic appeared to be injured in his first at bat on Friday against the Chicago White Sox. Kelenic reached on an error, but appeared to interfere after reaching first base. Kelenic stayed in the game and was relieved one inning later.
21-year old Kelenic, who hit the first homerun of spring practice in Seattle earlier this week against the Cubs, was the center of attention during spring practice.
Kelenic’s entry into the majors was part of the comments made by former team chairman and CEO Kevin Mather, who indicated that Seattle is considering manipulating Kelenic’s tenure.
Kelenic and his agent lashed out at the Mariners in comments to USA Today following Mather’s resignation last month. After homing earlier this week, Kelenic said he uses those words as motivation.
“I am a competitor,” said Kelenic. “I’m already a very driven person. Having said that, you know, something like that comes up, and I think you can look at it in two ways: first, you can sit and pout about it, or you can do it for motivation and let it float me even more. That’s kind of where I am. Every day I let it float me on. “