SAN FRANCISCO — Seattle Mariners outfielder Victor Robles suffered a left shoulder injury and had to be carted off the field after making a spectacular catch during the ninth inning of the Mariners’ 5-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday.
Robles, who was covering right field, sprinted to grab a fly ball off the bat of Patrick Bailey. He maneuvered over a low railing in foul territory to secure the catch, subsequently flipping over the wall and getting tangled in the netting. Robles appeared to be in considerable discomfort, immediately dropping the ball and clutching his left arm.
Mariners manager Dan Wilson indicated that Robles sustained an injury related to his shoulder and was undergoing medical evaluations at Oracle Park.
“He’s such a force,” Wilson remarked. “His contributions with big hits, remarkable defensive plays, and his dynamic base running make a significant impact. He’s crucial at the top of our lineup, and we’re hopeful for a positive outcome.”
At 31, Robles is batting .273 with three RBIs and three stolen bases in the first ten games of the season. Last year, he impressed with a .328 average for Seattle, along with successfully attempting 30 stolen bases out of 31 tries. This feat made him the first Seattle player to bat above .320 since Ichiro Suzuki achieved a .352 average in 2009.
The Giants clinched the victory with a walk-off single by Wilmer Flores immediately following the catch. Although the call was challenged by the Giants, it was ultimately upheld.
Following Robles’ injury, center fielder Julio Rodriguez quickly motioned for the athletic trainers, emphasizing Robles’ importance to the team both defensively and offensively.
“I saw him in pain and immediately called for the trainers,” Rodriguez explained. “He put in so much effort, but it came with a high price.”
Mike Yastrzemski, the Giants’ right fielder familiar with the ballpark’s architecture, expressed relief that netting was in place instead of the concrete bricks lining the right field wall.
“You wonder what might have happened,” Yastrzemski noted. “It’s the type of situation where you just hope he’s alright. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Despite the situation, Robles could have opted to let the ball drop foul, but, as Mariners pitcher Bryan Woo noted, “that’s not who he is.”
“He’s earned the respect of everyone in the clubhouse,” Woo declared.