KOLTEN WONG NEWS

Belts clutch homer Monday Wong hit a two-run homer as a pinch hitter in Monday's extra-inning loss to Minnesota.

Impact Wong didn't start the contest, but he provided the biggest highlight of the contest for Seattle, slugging a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give the team a one-run lead. The dramatic blast went for naught, however, as the Twins tied the game in the bottom of the frame and won it in the 10th. The big blast was a rare positive moment for Wong amidst a disappointing season during which he's slashed a meager .162/.244/.229 with just two homers and 18 RBI over 201 plate appearances.

JULY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wong's 9th-inning heroics spoiled by Twins in extras MINNEAPOLIS -- Kolten Wong was on his way to becoming the most unlikely hero in what’s been an incredibly challenging year, as the 10-year b...

JULY 25, 2023 • MLB.COM

Losing work at second base Wong is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Twins.

Impact Wong went 1-for-6 with a walk, a stolen base, a run and an RBI while starting the final two games of the Mariners' weekend series with the Blue Jays, but he's now found himself on the bench five times in eight contests overall. He's been out of the lineup four times against right-handed pitchers during that stretch, which suggests he's lost hold of a strong-side platoon role at second base.

JULY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out of lineup versus lefty Wong is on the bench for Friday's game against the Blue Jays.

Impact Jose Caballero will get the start at second base and bat ninth as the Mariners take on left-hander Yusei Kikuchi. Wong carries a brutal .158/.240/.211 overall season slash line and he's posted just a .274 OPS versus southpaws.

JULY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting again Tuesday Wong is not in the starting lineup Tuesday against the Twins.

Impact Wong will remain on the bench for a second straight game Tuesday. Jose Caballero will draw another start at second base and bat ninth against Minnesota.

JULY 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Not in lineup Monday Wong is absent from the lineup for Monday's game versus the Twins, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Impact Wong had started each of the last four games at second base versus right-handers, but he'll begin this one on the bench as the Twins start Sonny Gray. Jose Caballero will be at the keystone.

JULY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Starting again Sunday Wong is starting at second base and batting ninth Sunday against the Astros, Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710 AM reports.

Impact It's the 32-year-old's fifth start in the past seven games and his 13th in the past 20 contests. Wong has an atrocious .470 OPS for the year and just a .606 OPS since June 18, but he's still seen an uptick in playing time with Jose Caballero also scuffling.

JULY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On base four times in win Wong went 2-for-3 with an RBI single, a run-scoring double, two walks and a run in a win over the Astros on Friday.

Impact Wong put together what was arguably his best offensive performance of the season, partnering with No. 8 hitter Mike Ford to wreak plenty of havoc out of the bottom of the order. The veteran second baseman continues to see semi-regular playing time, but even with Friday's stellar night, he's still carrying an abysmal .166/.253/.217 slash line across 178 plate appearances.

JULY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Is MLB's pitch clock leading to better defense? Some players and coaches think so

Major League Baseball's pitch clock has made games go faster, but players and coaches believe it is also leading to better fielding.

JULY 6, 2023

Slugs first homer Thursday Wong went 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in a win over the Yankees on Thursday.

Impact Wong's 384-foot laser in the second inning marked his first time leaving the yard since his memorable three-homer game with the Brewers against the Reds on Sept. 22 of last season. The veteran was hitting just .074 (3-for-27) over his previous 11 games before Thursday's breakout, and the multi-hit effort was his fifth of the season. Wong's .167/.259/.214 season slash line is exponentially below his career standards the overriding reason why he continues to see only sporadic playing time.

JUNE 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting versus lefty Wong is not in the starting lineup Monday versus the Marlins.

Impact Wong will be on the bench for a fourth straight game Monday as the Mariners face off with left-hander Jesus Luzardo on the mound. It's unclear if he's lost his grip on the starting role at second base or not considering he typically sits versus lefties, but four straight absences is alarming. Jose Caballero will draw another start at second base and bat ninth in the series opener with Miami.

JUNE 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains on bench Wong is not in the starting lineup Sunday versus the Angels.

Impact Wong will remain on the bench for a third game in a row and may be losing his grip on the starting spot at second base. Jose Caballero will draw the start Sunday and bat ninth in the rubber match with Los Angeles.

JUNE 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting again Sunday Wong is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Angels.

Impact As per usual, Wong will not be in the starting lineup with a left-hander on the mound, and in this case it's Patrick Sandoval for the Angels. Dylan Moore will get the start at second base and hit seventh against Sandoval and the Halos.

JUNE 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Friday Wong is not in the lineup Friday against the Angels.

Impact Wong had drawn three straight starts at second base for the Mariners, but he'll give way Friday to Jose Caballero. Wong, 32, carries a paltry .153/.246/.178 batting line through 41 games (134 plate appearances) this season.

JUNE 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mariners prez Jerry Dipoto: 'Prime Babe Ruth' not enough to change team's fortunes

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JUNE 8, 2023

Nabs third straight start Wong will start at second base and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Padres.

Impact Though he's slashing just .079/.186/.105 over the past month, Wong will pick up a third consecutive start at second base. Meanwhile, rookie Jose Caballero is on the bench for the second straight contest while he endures a slump of his own. Caballero appeared to have supplanted Wong as the Mariners' primary second baseman earlier in the season, but with both now struggling to produce at the dish, manager Scott Servais may prefer to have the veteran and two-time Gold Glove Award winner at the keystone.

JUNE 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Getting start Wong is starting at second base and batting ninth Wednesday versus the Yankees.

Impact It's the first start since Saturday for Wong, who has been ceding most of the playing time at second base to Jose Caballero of late. He'll be going up against Clarke Schmidt.

MAY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sets table out of bottom of order Wong went 0-for-2 with two walks and two runs in a loss to the Pirates on Friday.

Impact The veteran infielder worked out of the bottom of the order, teeing up Julio Rodriguez and J.P. Crawford for RBI opportunities in the fifth and seventh innings, respectively. Wong's start was only his fourth since May 15 and once again came as a result of an off day for the productive Jose Caballero, who's occasionally been given a seat against right-handed pitching. Wong's modestly successful offensive night aside, he's still slashing an abysmal .167/.259/.196 across 116 plate appearances.

MAY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Benched again versus righty Wong is not in the Mariners' lineup for Friday's game in Atlanta, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Impact It marks two games in a row that Wong has been benched in favor of Jose Caballero against a right-hander, as it looks like he's seeing his long-side platoon role slip away. Wong is batting just .177/.259/.231 on the season and hasn't been sharp defensively, either.

MAY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Could be losing starting job Mariners manager Scott Servais on Wednesday didn't dismiss the possibility of Jose Caballero seeing more playing time than Wong at second base moving forward, Ryan Divish of the Se...

Impact Caballero -- who is hitting .289/.365/.356 -- has been on the short side of a platoon with Wong but on Wednesday got the start against right-hander Brayan Bello. Wong is batting just .177/.259/.231 on the season and has struggled at times defensively, as well. "We'll see," Servais said. "You're trying to put guys out there that are going well. Certainly, Kolten has got a long track record of being a really productive player in this league. But you know as I've often said, 'It's a do-good league.' It is a results-driven league and it's the big leagues. It's kind of the way it is. So again, we'll see what Cabby brings tonight and we'll go from there."

MAY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Benched against Boston Wong is out of the starting lineup against the Red Sox on Wednesday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Impact Wong went 1-for-5 while making an error and also allowing a weak pop-up to land during Tuesday's loss to the Red Sox, and he'll retreat to the bench for Wednesday's finale even with right-hander Brayan Bello on the mound. Jose Caballero will hit ninth and play second base in Wong's place.

MAY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench versus lefty Wong is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Tigers.

Impact Wong will once again head to the bench with a left-hander, Joey Wentz, pitching for Detroit. The 32-year-old remains in the strong side of a platoon at second base, with Jose Caballero filling the short side and batting seventh Sunday.

MAY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting against southpaw Wong is out of the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against Texas.

Impact Wong will take a seat on the bench with southpaw Andrew Heaney on the hill for the Rangers. Sam Haggerty will handle second base and hit ninth in Wong's absence.

MAY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Plunked twice in return Wong (wrist) went 0-for-1 with two hit-by-pitches in a loss to the Rangers on Monday.

Impact Wong didn't exactly have a soft landing in his return from a one-game absence, but he was able to get through his pair of plunkings unscathed. The veteran second baseman has been progressively clawing his way out of a cavernous early-season hole, hitting .370 (10-for-31) over his last nine games.

MAY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Listed in starting nine after all Wong (wrist) is starting at second base and batting ninth Monday against the Rangers.

Impact Wong wasn't listed in Seattle's initial starting lineup, but he was added to the card after J.P. Crawford was announced out shortly before first pitch. Wong is 3-for-9 with a double and five RBI through three games in May.

MAY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE