Mariners' Victor Robles activated from injured list before Royals series
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Mariners moved a player closer to having their projected roster back to full strength.
On Friday, the team announced that outfielder Victor Robles had been reinstated from the injured list. To make room for Robles, outfielder/first baseman Connor Joe was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.
Robles, 29, was placed on the 10-day injured list April 8 because of a right pectoral strain. He appeared in 12 games with Triple-A Tacoma on a rehab assignment, posting a .256/.389/.349 slash line with four doubles, seven RBI, 10 runs scored, nine walks and six strikeouts. Robles appeared in just five games before getting injured.
With the Royals starting lefty Noah Cameron on Friday night, Robles was immediately inserted into the starting lineup in his customary spot in right field and batting eighth.
It feels really good to be back and be in the clubhouse with my teammates and being able to play a game," Robles said through interpreter Freddy Llanos.
The Mariners extended Robles' rehab assignment from 20 days to 30 days, which requires approval from the league and the player. Those extra days seem to have been important. It's when Robles started to feel normal at the plate and in the field.
"I think it was a few days ago," he said. "I started feeling better and a little more confident in being able to throw the ball, which is kind of where I got hurt."
A major shoulder injury early last April put Robles on the injured list for most of the season. He has played a total of 37 games since the start of 2025.
"It's definitely a little frustrating," he said. "You come back and you think you're getting everything back to normal, and then another injury sets you back, and you have to start the process all over again.
The 33-year-old Joe played sparingly, mostly off the bench. He appeared in 18 games, posting a .182/.308/.333 slash line with two doubles, a homer, three RBI, two stolen bases, six walks and 11 strikeouts in 39 plate appearances.
The current list of Mariners on the injured list:
* 3B Brendan Donovan - left groin muscle strain (10-day)
* C Cal Raleigh - right oblique strain (10-day)
* LHP Gabe Speier - left shoulder inflammation (15-day)
* 3B Will Wilson - left thumb fracture (10-day)
* 3B Miles Mastrobuoni - right calf strain (60-day)
* RHP Carlos Vargas - right lat strain (60-day)
* RHP Logan Evans - Tommy John surgery (60-day)
Mariners minor-leaguer suspended
Right-handed pitcher Jose Zerpa, a reliever for the Inland Empire 66ers, the Mariners' Low-A affiliate in the Cal League, has been suspended for 80 games for testing positive for stanozolol, a performance-enhancing drug.
Zerpa, 21, has made 10 relief appearances, posting a 4-1 record with a 4.70 ERA. He signed as an international free agent in May 2023 at age 18.
He is the seventh player disciplined this year for violating MLB's drug prevention and treatment programs.
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This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 5:05 PM.