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Seattle Mariners

Chris Taylor’s attempt to be Mariners’ Opening Day shortstop ends with broken wrist

Seattle’s Chris Taylor, top, suffered a broken wrist Friday and is sidelined 4 to 6 weeks. (Associated Press)
Bob Dutton Tacoma News Tribune

PEORIA, Ariz. – The Mariners’ spring shortstop competition came to an abrupt end Saturday when an examination revealed Chris Taylor suffered a broken bone in his right wrist.

The injury is expected to sideline Taylor for 4 to 6 weeks and effectively sends Brad Miller into the regular season as the club’s starting shortstop.

“For me, for my focus,” Miller said, “it really doesn’t change anything. It’s really just a bummer because I know Chris, and I know how hard he works.”

General manager Jack Zduriencik said Taylor suffered a break in the triquetrum, which is one of eight small carpal bones in the wrist. Taylor is not expected to require surgery, but he will wear a brace for about 10 days.

“It’s a tough break for the kid,” Zduriencik said. “He had the (broken) pinkie finger a year ago in Triple-A. Now, he’s battling for a job. He’s done a really nice job for us. It would have been interesting to watch it unfold.”

Taylor suffered the injury Friday in a 10-5 victory over Milwaukee at Peoria Stadium when hit on the wrist on what was ruled a foul ball on a pitch from right-hander Jim Henderson.

After a brief examination, Taylor remained in the game and lined a single up the middle before exiting for a pinch-runner.

“I mean, he hit a line drive,” Miller said. “He knocked the guy (Henderson) on his butt right after it happened. So we were like, ‘OK, he’s fine.’ ”

Taylor said afterward he believed the pitch hit him flush in the wrist.

“It was a fastball with two strikes,” he said. “I checked my hands a little bit, and it got me in the wrist. The hands are always scary. But I took a practice swing and didn’t feel any sharp pain or anything.

“It’s just a dull bruise, I think.”

Taylor, 24, remained upbeat after arriving Saturday prior to undergoing a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exam.

“It swelled up a little bit overnight,” he said, “but that was expected.”

Taylor and Miller were engaged in a strong battle for the starting job. Taylor was batting .421 (8 for 19), while Miller is batting .412 at 7 for 16 after going 1 for 2 in Saturday’s 11-4 victory over Arizona in Scottsdale.

“They’ve both played extremely well,” manager Lloyd McClendon said. “You just hate to see the competition end in this way. But those things happen. It’s part of the game.”

Mariners 11, Diamondbacks 4: Seattle blew open a one-run game Saturday by scoring six runs in the ninth inning for an easy victory over an Arizona split squad in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Mariners starter Taijuan Walker pitched out of a second-and-third jam with one out in the second inning after third baseman Kyle Seager committed a two-base error and a passed ball by catcher Jesus Sucre put runners at second and third.

Walker has eight scoreless innings in his three starts.