2 min read • June 25, 2022
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The Mariners placed first baseman Ty France on the 10-day IL today with the elbow injury he suffered Thursday in a collision at first.
The team, and our panel of Pro Baseball Docs, have optimism that France will only require a short absence and here's why.
The SDSU product told reporters he has a Grade 2 flexor strain in his forearm/elbow area and referred to the MRI results as the “best worst case scenario.”
Our Pro Baseball Docs share that optimism for several reasons.
First, it is not a complete UCL tear. If that was the case he would require surgery, although that would likely be pushed to the offseason because it's not his throwing arm.
A flexor strain is essentially code word for the UCL, but the Grade 2 means no surgery is required.
Second, France hits right handed and the inside of the left arm/elbow is not heavily involved in the swing or power production.
France's injury looked similar to the one Max Muncy suffered before the postseason last year, but two key differences are that Muncy hits left handed and Muncy's injury was a complete UCL tear.
With France heading to IL, Dylan Moore is likely to see more time at first base and may continue playing first even when France is back.
Expect France to assume the every day DH role until his pain tolerance allows him to use the glove hand again.
France has easily been the Mariners' best hitter this season, batting .316 with 10 home runs and 45 RBIs in 70 games.
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