The Seattle Mariners acquired infield utilityman Buddy Kennedy, placed Rob Refsnyder on the injured list, and the Cleveland Guardians are preparing for the return of Chase DeLauter.
Mariners sign a utility infielder: what the deal with the Giants brings
The Seattle Mariners continue to strengthen their roster depth in targeted fashion. On Sunday evening, the club announced the acquisition of 27-year-old infielder Buddy Kennedy from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for cash considerations. The player has already been added to the 40-man roster. The deal went through with barely any buzz, but it’s interesting not so much because of Kennedy’s current output, but because of his background and the potential role he could fill within the system.
This season, Buddy Kennedy has played just seven major-league games for the Giants, going hitless with three strikeouts and one walk, with a batting average of .000. However, his numbers in the AAA affiliate, Sacramento, look far more convincing: 48 games, a .321 batting average, eight home runs, and a strong .967 OPS. For almost his entire MLB career, Kennedy has been used as a reserve: he has appeared in 74 games across six different franchises (starting with Arizona in 2022) and has a modest .171 career batting average with two home runs. He has mostly seen time at second and third base.
It’s worth noting that Kennedy is the grandson of the famous 1970s player Doe Mony, a four-time All-Star. That adds a bit of human interest to the trade, but on the field something else matters more: over five seasons, he’s already changed teams six times, suggesting that he’s viewed as a helpful but not especially stable rotation option. The Mariners likely see him as insurance in case of injuries or a tired lineup—especially since the club recently adjusted its plans for starting pitchers and is looking for flexibility in every position. As reported by Seattle Sports, the trade was for cash considerations—that is, for a nominal amount, which usually means the selling side simply wanted to clear space on its roster.
The tricky part to understand: “cash considerations” is a standard phrase meaning the exact amount or terms aren’t disclosed, but it’s clear that it doesn’t affect the team’s budget. In other words, the Mariners essentially got a player with experience in 74 MLB games for little to no cost—and while his production at the top level isn’t star-caliber, he could still be useful at the Triple-A level and, if needed, step in as a replacement on an off day for the starting infield. The key takeaway: the deal shows Seattle’s desire to patch holes on the bench using minimal resources. Looking ahead, if Kennedy can translate his offensive production from the minors to the MLB level, it will be a win; if not, the team loses nothing.
Chase DeLauter’s return: hope for the Guardians in a matchup vs the Mariners
The Cleveland Guardians are preparing for a pivotal home series against the Seattle Mariners, and the biggest news for the team and its fans is the return of promising outfielder Chase DeLauter. A product of the club’s system who spent a significant portion of the season on the injured list has finally received medical clearance, and according to the coaching staff, he will immediately take his place in the starting lineup. The game, scheduled for June 28, 2026, at Progressive Field, could become a turning point for Cleveland’s offense, which has been struggling with run production in recent weeks.
DeLauter, selected with the 16th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, has already established himself as one of the organization’s most exciting young talents. His powerful bat and ability to play defense made him an indispensable piece of Cleveland’s rebuilding plan. However, an injury suffered at the start of spring training knocked him out of game rhythm for several months. His recovery has been uneven, but now, ahead of the matchup with the Mariners, the team finally receives the boost it’s been waiting for. An official note on MLB’s website says that DeLauter is expected to play a key role in improving the club’s offensive numbers.
Cleveland’s attack this season has been inconsistent: the team sits in the second half of the league in batting average, and its baserunner execution leaves much to be desired. DeLauter’s return—before his injury, he showed consistent contact and a good feel for pitches—could provide the spark that’s needed. He’s expected to land in the middle of the starting lineup, possibly third or fifth, which would shift the balance toward a more aggressive approach at the plate.
As for the game itself, the Seattle Mariners are coming to Cleveland after a stretch of disappointing results on the road, and their pitching rotation is under pressure. The Mariners’ scheduled starter is an experienced right-hander who has had control issues this season. For DeLauter, that’s an ideal opportunity to make an impact from his very first at-bats. At the same time, the Guardians have to be careful: rushing and trying to do too much right away can lead to mistakes. In an interview, the team’s head coach emphasized that he isn’t expecting a miracle from a single player, but DeLauter’s presence in the lineup creates an additional threat for the opponent and helps take some load off the other hitters.
Chase himself, judging by his comments, is fully determined and says he feels 100% ready. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this moment. My job is to go out there and do my work: make pitchers work, move runners over, and drive in runs. The team needs wins, and I want to be part of it,” his club quoted his as saying through its press service. It’s important to understand that returning after an injury always carries the risk of a setback, and the coaching staff will likely monitor the outfielder’s workload closely. So it shouldn’t be surprising if DeLauter is replaced during the game with a large lead or in a less favorable score situation.
For Guardians fans, this is more than just a tactical boost—it’s also an emotional lift. Young players often become catalysts for change in the clubhouse, and DeLauter has leadership qualities. In the long run, his return could determine the trajectory of the second half of the season for Cleveland. But for the upcoming game against the Mariners, it’s important not to overestimate the value of any one player. Seattle is a dangerous opponent with unpredictable offense, and the Guardians will need to prove their worth in every inning. A full breakdown of the game with video moments is available on MLB’s official website, where DeLauter’s performance statistics prior to the injury and analysts’ projections are also included.
If Chase DeLauter’s return is successful, he could be the missing link that helps the Guardians get to the playoffs. But for now, all the attention is focused on one game. Cleveland is hoping its top prospect finally lives up to expectations and helps the team break a run of disappointing home games. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. local time, and DeLauter’s first plate appearances will quickly answer the main question: is he ready for big-league baseball after the injury?
Another Mariners player went on the injured list
Seattle continues to deal with injury losses: this time, Rob Refsnyder has landed on the 10-day injured list. The 35-year-old veteran is experiencing discomfort in both knees—an issue that had been building gradually, and despite injections he received last week, the player said he can’t keep playing in that condition. As general manager Justin Hollander noted in an interview with The Seattle Times, wear and tear in the knee cartilage is common for aging players, but in this case it directly affected his swing mechanics. Refsnyder felt instability during his load and couldn’t repeat his motions with the right consistency, and ultimately he himself suggested going on the injured list.
Through 119 plate appearances this season, his numbers leave a lot to be desired: just a .133 batting average with three home runs and nine RBI—clearly not the figures either the player or the club were hoping for.
To replace Refsnyder, the Mariners called up utilityman Buddy Kennedy from their farm system, acquired from the San Francisco Giants for cash considerations. Kennedy can cover multiple positions both in the infield and outfield, and the club particularly highlights his ability to perform against left-handed hitters—at Triple-A, he basically dominated such pitchers. Hollander said the organization has been monitoring the player for a long time and views him as a useful role option.
However, the biggest intrigue for the Mariners remains the status of a few other key hitters. Luke Raley, though he didn’t land on the injured list, is dealing with a left forearm strain that worsens when he takes hard swings. Raley insists he can play, but the team doesn’t want to risk making the injury worse. As Hollander put it, Raley is one of the toughest players he’s ever seen, and if the player says he can play, he usually believes him. But the doctors still have to evaluate the situation: if the injury begins to affect his swing mechanics, the club will step in and send him for treatment. Dom Canzone is also trying to play through discomfort in his right hamstring, but his usage will be limited—he won’t play in the outfield and won’t steal bases; his role will be as a hitter. If things worsen, Connor Joe is already waiting on the taxi squad.
In addition, the team shared updates on other injured players: Brendan Donovan, recovering from a groin strain and complications following surgery for a hernia, logged a good volume of workouts last week, but no exact return timeline has been announced yet. And pitchers Matt Brash and Cooper Criswell will get MRIs on July 6; if inflammation in the shoulder and chest has cleared, they’ll begin a throwing program. All these updates show that the Mariners are forced to navigate between the desire to keep players on the field and the need to protect their health over the long season. Roster instability is already showing up in the results, and the club will have to make difficult decisions about whom to treat and whom to activate—even with the risk of injuries worsening.
