SEATTLE — A major change could be coming soon for the longest-tenured player in the Seattle Mariners clubhouse.

Ahead of the finale of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday at T-Mobile Park, shortstop J.P. Crawford, who was set to lead-off for the M's in his usual position, was scratched from the lineup late due to sore triceps.

Crawford's soreness is due to being hit by a pitch several games ago.

But more notable than Crawford's late scratch was his pregame work.

Crawford, who has been the team's starting shortstop for years and is in the final year of a five-year, $51 million contract, was fielding ground balls at third base. He didn't throw due to his triceps soreness.

"J.P. is, like we've talked about, is a selfless player," M's manager Dan Wilson said in a pregame interview Wednesday. "He'll go wherever anybody needs him to go. It's a chance to take a look at things over there and look at a different spot."

For the last couple years, the writing has been on the wall that Seattle's top prospect, Colt Emerson (No. 6 MLB Pipeline top 100) would be the team's shortstop of the future. He was signed to an eight-year, $95 million contract earlier this year that will keep him on the team through the 2033 season.

Emerson was called up and made his major league debut Sunday against the San Diego Padres but started at third.

Emerson played at third base again in game one against the White Sox on Monday but filled in for Crawford at shortstop Tuesday, and is set to again Wednesday.

Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said earlier this season that the team views Crawford as their starting shortstop this season. But it seems like the transition from Crawford to Emerson could be coming sooner than anticipated.

Crawford approached Wilson about the possibility of making the switch to the hot corner. The veteran infielder's agent then proceeded to reach out to Seattle general manager Justin Hollander.

Based on a report on "X" from Seattle Times reporter Adam Jude, the Mariners aren't committing to making the move full time but Crawford wants to figure out an arrangement that works for the team.

Crawford has exclusively played shortstop since being acquired by Seattle in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies on Dec. 3, 2018.

The 31-year-old played a combined 26 games (20 starts) at third base for Philadelphia from 2017-18.

Crawford has slashed .210/.358/.364 with a .722 OPS in 42 games this season. He's hit four doubles and six home runs with 16 RBIs.

Remember to join our MARINERS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Mariners fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!