On Tuesday in Tacoma, as Crawford (shoulder inflammation) began his short rehab assignment in Triple-A, Emerson started at third base with Crawford at shortstop, and it’s possible — even likely — that that alignment will arrive in Seattle soon.
One industry source suggested Emerson should join by the Mariners by June 1. No one should be surprised if that arrival date is closer to May 1.
“We have no hard date,” Dipoto said. “We had no plan as to, if we get this done — it’s tomorrow, it’s next week, or it’s even this month. But I suspect that he will be a big leaguer sooner than later.”
Though the first week of the season, Brendan Donovan, the Mariners’ new leadoff hitter and third baseman, ranks last among all qualified MLB third baseman through in the Outs Above Average defensive metrics (with a minus-3 OAA recorded).
The Mariners are expected to employ Emerson, when he is called up, to play third base and use Donovan in a super-utility role — in the lineup but at a different position each game.
“Donnie’s versatility made it such a priority for us to acquire him, because he allowed us to do a lot of creative things with the other players on the field, Dipoto said.
Emerson spent virtually all of spring training on the major-league camp roster, and Dipoto said he expected a smooth transition when the 20-year-old does arrive in Seattle.
