Mariners Lose OF Ben Gamel for Month to Strained Oblique

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) — The injuries continue to mount for the Seattle Mariners, who will be without outfielder Ben Gamel for four to six weeks due to a strained right oblique muscle.

The Mariners were hopeful that Gamel would miss only a few days but an MRI revealed a more extensive injury after it was reviewed by team physicians. Gamel first felt the injury after batting practice late last week.

Gamel is added to a growing list of ailments for the Mariners. Seattle has already seen first baseman Ryon Healy (hand), outfielder Mitch Haniger (hand) and pitcher Felix Hernandez (bruised forearm) slowed by injuries during spring training. Outfielder Guillermo Heredia is also still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, leaving Seattle thin at the position.

Gamel hit .275 with 11 home runs and 59 RBIs in 134 games last season for Seattle.