Victor Robles Injured After Taking a Pitch to the Hand
GLENDALE, Ariz. – As the Mariners approach the conclusion of Spring Training, their overall health has been promising. However, the injury scare involving right fielder Victor Robles during Saturday’s decisive 14-1 victory over the White Sox was a jolting moment.
Robles departed the game immediately after being struck on the right hand by an 87.2 mph slider thrown by reliever Gus Varland in the fifth inning. He displayed visible discomfort while pacing along the third-base line and shook his hand before receiving a brief examination from Mariners’ head athletic trainer Kyle Torgerson. Robles then went to the clubhouse for further assessment and is set to have an X-ray, with updates expected on Sunday morning.
“They’re going to get it checked out today,” said Mariners manager Dan Wilson in the postgame conference. “Hopefully, he’s in good shape. He was frustrated, as anyone would be, but we’re just optimistic about the outcome.”
Prior to this incident, Robles had been struck by three pitches this spring, but this particular instance was concerning due to his clear display of pain. Despite this setback, he had been performing well, notching an impressive .836 OPS and three home runs across 53 at-bats. In the first four innings of Saturday’s match, he recorded two hits before his exit.
“He brings a lot of life to this ballclub,” Wilson expressed earlier that morning, underscoring Robles’ positive influence on the team.
Last season, Robles was hit by 11 pitches, with 10 of those occurrences following his signing with the Mariners on June 4 after his release from the Nationals. Some of those hits to his hand, wrist, or fingers caused him to miss game time, yet he was never placed on the injured list. This situation was notable, as Robles was considered the most injury-prone “healthy” player on the Mariners’ roster during that stretch, also battling hip flexor and hamstring issues.
Nevertheless, Robles emerged as one of Seattle’s most valuable players after transitioning from a platoon outfielder role to a regular starter, eventually securing a two-year, $9.75 million contract extension on August 13. Over the course of 91 games, he posted a remarkable slash line of .328/.393/.467 for an .860 OPS, contributing significantly to the team’s success.
