AJ Pollock, Seattle Mariners finalize 1-year contract - MLB

SEATTLE — Outfielder AJ Pollock and the Seattle Mariners finalized a one-year, $7 million contract, setting up a potential platoon situation in left field for the upcoming season.

Pollock can earn an additional $3 million in performance bonuses for plate appearances: $500,000 each for 350, 400, 450 and 500, and $1 million for 550.

The right-handed hitting Pollock will likely be paired with left-handed hitting Jarred Kelenic in a potential position share.

“AJ is a terrific fit for our roster,” Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dpoto said in a statement. “Among many quality traits, his high character and baseball IQ are tailor-made for our group, while his experiences in key roles for championship quality teams will no doubt provide value in our ongoing development.”

Pollock spent last season with the Chicago White Sox, hitting .245 with 14 homers and 56 RBIs in 138 games. Pollock hit .286 with a .935 OPS last season against lefties and for his career is a .285 hitter with an .868 OPS against left-handed pitchers.

Pollock was an All-Star in 2015 with Arizona and spent three seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers before moving to Chicago. Pollock batted .297 with 21 homers two seasons ago with the Dodgers. Pollock also brings plenty of postseason experience, appearing in 30 playoff games with the Dodgers between 2019-21.

While Pollock has primarily played left field in recent seasons, he could be used in right field or as a designated hitter option for the Mariners.

His deal contains several award bonuses: $150,000 for MVP. $100,000 for World Series MVP, $50,000 for All-Star election, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger or League Championship Series MVP and $25,000 for All-Star selection.

PITTSBURGH — The New York Mets will have to dig out of an early-season hole without star first baseman Pete Alonso.

The leading home run hitter in the majors will miss three-to-four weeks with a bone bruise and a sprain in his left wrist.

The Mets placed Alonso on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to June 8. Alonso was hit in the wrist by a 96 mph fastball from Charlie Morton in the first inning of a 7-5 loss to Atlanta on Wednesday.

Alonso traveled to New York for testing on Thursday. X-rays revealed no broken bones, but the Mets will be missing one of the premier power hitters in the game as they try to work their way back into contention in the NL East.

“We got better news than it could have been,” New York manager Buck Showalter said. “So we take that as a positive. It could have been worse.”

New York had lost six straight heading into a three-game series at Pittsburgh that began Friday. Mark Canha started at first for the Mets in the opener. Mark Vientos could also be an option, though Showalter said the coaching staff may have to use its “imagination” in thinking of ways to get by without Alonso.

“I’m not going to say someone has to step up and all that stuff,” Showalter said. “You’ve just got to be who you are.”

Even with Alonso in the lineup, the Mets have struggled to score consistently. New York is 16th in the majors in runs scored.

The team also said Friday that reliever Edwin Uceta had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. Uceta initially went on the IL in April with what the team called a sprained left ankle. He is expected to be out for at least an additional eight weeks.

New York recalled infielder Luis Guillorme and left-handed reliever Zach Muckenhirn from Triple-A Syracuse. The Mets sent catcher Tomás Nido to Triple-A and designated reliever Stephen Nogosek for assignment.

Nogosek is 0-1 with a 5.63 ERA in 13 games this season.