Mariners’ Crawford out a couple of weeks

Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford has been placed on the 10-day injured list after he suffered a sprained left ankle Tuesday.

Crawford was hurt while trying to avoid a tag in the eighth inning of an 11-4 loss to the Texas Rangers and had to be helped off the field.

Manager Scott Servais told reporters that Crawford avoided a high ankle sprain and that the initial hope is that he will be able to play in a couple weeks.

“It’s not a high ankle sprain,” Servais said. “Anytime you roll your ankle you stress the ligaments, but everything should be OK. We’re hopeful it might be a couple weeks. I think with (how) he went down, and everybody’s initial thoughts, we’re lucky that it’s not worse than that.” In the eighth inning, with the Mariners trailing by seven runs, center fielder Mallex Smith beat out a two-out grounder to first for an infield single with Crawford and rookie Shed Long both on base. Crawford scooted into third, but Long overshot second base on the play causing Crawford to start inching toward home to free up the base.

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Texas third baseman Asdrubel Cabrera started chasing Long back to second, prompting Crawford to switch directions and head back toward third. But, Cabrera spun around and beat Crawford back to the bag. Crawford maneuvered to try to avoid the tag, severely turning his ankle, and falling to the ground.

He was helped off the field by Servais and others, replaced by Tim Beckham on defense in the ninth, and was on crutches Wednesday morning. Rookie utility player Dylan Moore was recalled from Tacoma in a corresponding roster move.

Crawford recorded two hits in the game, including an RBI single, and a walk before the injury. He has hit 17-for-61 (.279) in 17 games with the Mariners since his promotion from Tacoma on May 10. He reached base safely in 15 of those games, and hit safely in 13. “I feel good, I feel comfortable,” Crawford said recently. “Definitely, day by day, getting more comfortable.”

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