Mitch Garver Appears to Be Falling Out of Favor For Seattle Mariners
![Seattle Mariners designated hitter Mitch Garver (18) crosses home on his three run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fifth inning at T-Mobile Park on July 10. Seattle Mariners designated hitter Mitch Garver (18) crosses home on his three run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fifth inning at T-Mobile Park on July 10.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_5669,h_3188,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/inside_the_mariners/01j3jv57n6dht3g92hk5.jpg)
The Seattle Mariners' anemic offense is looking for answers in any possible way right now. As a result of that, they appear content to take away Mitch Garver's playing time.
Garver is not in the starting lineup on Wednesday as the Mariners finish out the series with the Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park. It's the second straight day that he hasn't played and given that both JP Crawford and Julio Rodriguez are out and the lineup isn't at full strength, it's even more noteworthy that Garver is not playing.
Wrapping up the homestand. #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/fbyvcYOP6E
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) July 24, 2024
Signed to a two-year deal this past offseason, Garver hasn't produced as hoped in Seattle. Though he's a good clubhouse guy with a discerning eye, he's hitting only .168 this season through 280 at-bats. He's got 12 homers and 37 RBI, which rank high for this tepid group of M's hitters, but the strikeouts have been a major problem. He's fanned 103 teams already, which is more than he did last season with the Texas Rangers in fewer at-bats.
Garver has had an up-and-down career and this appears to be one of the downs in his cycle. After bursting onto the scene with 31 homers in 2019, he's habitually struggled to stay on the field and has seen his average fluctuate wildly. He hit .256 in 2021 with the Twins, then .207 in 2022 with Texas. He hit .270 a season ago with the Rangers and now has hit the .168 with Seattle.
The Mariners are using recent minor league call up Jason Vosler at DH on Wednesday as they look to avoid the sweep.
Related Stories on Seattle Mariners
NEW PODCAST EPISODE IS OUT: The latest episode of the "Refuse to Lose" podcast is out! In this episode, we talk about the frustrations of the Astros series, the looming trade deadline and more, including a talk with longtime Mariners scribe Nathan Bishop. CLICK HERE:
THE HITS KEEP ON COMING: Julio Rodriguez was placed on the injured list with a high ankle sprain on Tuesday. Here's the latest. CLICK HERE:
PLAYOFF SHIFT: The Mariners playoff odds are now at under 50 percent and continue to fall every day during this recent slide. CLICK HERE:
Follow Inside the Mariners on social media
Continue to follow our Inside the Mariners coverage on social media by liking us on Facebook and by following Teren Kowatsch and Brady Farkas on "X" @Teren_Kowatsch and @wdevradiobrady. You can subscribe to the "Refuse to Lose" podcast by clicking HERE: