Mariners reinstate Jarred Kelenic off injured list less than 2 months after breaking foot

Mariners prepare for final homestand

The Seattle Mariners are gearing up for their last homestand of the season, and there's a lot of fun in store for fans.

SEATTLE - The Seattle Mariners reinstated outfielder Jarred Kelenic off the injured list on Monday less than two months after he broke a bone in his left foot by kicking a cooler out of frustration.

Kelenic’s return is a needed boost for Seattle following a disappointing 3-7 road trip that has left the Mariners 2½ games behind in the AL West race and holding a slim lead for the final wild-card spot in the American League. Seattle opens a six-game homestand on Monday night against the Los Angeles Angels.

Kelenic was hitting .252 with 11 homers and 45 RBIs in 90 games prior to getting hurt on July 19 when he kicked a water cooler following a ninth-inning strikeout during a loss to Minnesota.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JULY 03: Jarred Kelenic #10 of the Seattle Mariners at bat against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on July 03, 2023 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

A day after injuring himself, Kelenic was apologetic, fighting through tears for letting his emotions get out of hand and expressing his frustration. Kelenic did not need surgery and started a rehab assignment at Triple-A Tacoma on Aug. 31. In 10 rehab games, Kelenic hit .306 with three doubles, one homer, five RBIs and eight runs scored.

Seattle optioned outfielder Cade Marlowe to Tacoma to clear a roster spot for Kelenic. Marlowe appeared in 34 games with the Mariners and hit .239 with three homers and 11 RBIs. Marlowe had one of the biggest hits of the season with a ninth-inning grand slam as Seattle rallied for a 5-3 win over the Angels on Aug. 3.