Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez exited Wednesday's game against the Baltimore Orioles due to an apparent injury, casting a shadow over his strong MVP campaign.
Rodriguez left the matchup in the seventh inning after going 1-for-3 with a run scored and two strikeouts, according to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times.
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The team has not disclosed the nature or severity of the injury.
The 25-year-old has posted career-best numbers through 67 games, including 13 home runs, 14 doubles, 22 walks, and 27 extra-base hits.
He helped propel Seattle to first place in the AL West after a dominant May where he hit 10 home runs with a .
590 slugging percentage.
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The AL MVP race has opened up after New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge suffered a right-side rib stress fracture.
While Houston Astros DH Yordan Alvarez and Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. are frontrunners, analysts see Rodriguez as a strong contender if his typical second-half surge continues.
ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney discussed the wide-open race on the 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast. "The American League MVP race is wide open," Olney said.
"Julio is going to be an MVP candidate this year."
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The Mariners entered Thursday's series finale against Baltimore with a 36-33 record, playing without catcher Cal Raleigh, who is on the injured list with a right oblique strain.
