SEATTLE (AP) -Versatile Mariners utility man Willie Bloomquist was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday could miss the rest of the season after injuring his hamstring running out a ground ball a night earlier.
Bloomquist collapsed in pain after reaching first base in the 10th inning of Saturday night’s loss to Tampa Bay in 11 innings. Bloomquist, who has played six positions this year, had beat out a potential double play, then fell to the turf. He was helped off the field, not putting any weight on his right leg.
Bloomquist was diagnosed with a strained right hamstring and manager Jim Riggleman didn’t sound optimistic about Bloomquist’s return.
“It’s a very significant pull. I don’t know if we’ll see Willie again the rest of this year,” Riggleman said before Sunday’s game. “Willie plays so hard that if you get him back you know he’s going to go hard, so you have to make sure the thing is absolutely 100 percent healthy before you bring him back because he’ll pull it again. We want to let him get strong again.”
Bloomquist was hitting .279 with 32 runs scored, playing mostly of late in a platoon with left-hander Jeremy Reed in center. Bloomquist also started games in right field, left field, third base, shortstop and second base this season. He will have an MRI on Tuesday, trainer Rick Griffin said.
Riggleman said he planned on starting Bloomquist at shortstop on Sunday before the injury.
“Willie is a jack of all trades. You can put him anywhere on the field … he’s a nice weapon to have. We’re going to miss him,” Riggleman said.
Bloomquist, who grew up about an hour ferry ride west of Seattle, will become a free agent after the season and has expressed an interest in seeing what his value is on the market.
Seattle recalled infielder Tug Hulett from Triple-A Tacoma to take Bloomquist’s roster spot. Hulett was acquired in a trade with Texas last offseason, and was hitting .298 with 22 doubles and 14 homers in 90 games with Tacoma. He made his major league debut with Seattle in July, but appeared in only one game during his one week stint.
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