KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Seattle Mariners might need some help at first base and it may come in the form of a Baseball America Top 100 prospect.
The M's are calling up first baseman Tyler Locklear, that's according to Seattle Times beat writer Ryan Divish. The move is expected to be announced Sunday. He should be in Kansas City in time for the game against the Royals and possibly make his Major League Baseball debut.
Seattle's current starting first baseman Ty France injured his foot Friday night when he was hit by a pitch. He set the Mariners franchise record for most times being hit by a pitch with 90. France surpassed Edgar Martinez with about a fourth of the plate appearances by the Hall-of-Famer at 2,255 to 8,674.
But it may have come with a cost. He was a scratch for Saturday's game with the Royals. He has a heel injury from being hit by a pitch. "I am concerned about it," said M's manager Scott Servais. The team will know more tomorrow. France might have to do a stint on the injured list.
Seattle drafted Locklear out of VCU, 58th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft. This season, he's played for Arkansas, Seattle's AA team, and Tacoma, their AAA team. Locklear is hitting a combined .293 average with 9 home runs and 33 RBI in 51 games.
The first baseman is currently No. 83 in Baseball America's Top 100 prospects.