The Seattle Mariners are likely to lose one of their top hitters from the last few seasons, starting left fielder Randy Arozarena, in free agency.

Unfortunately for the Mariners, one of the likeliest candidates to replace Arozarena will be out past when Opening Day is currently scheduled for.

It was announced in a post on "X" from Mariners PR on Friday that second baseman/left fielder and top 100 prospect (No. 41 MLB Pipeline) Michael Arroyo underwent a successful elbow scope procedure to clean up cartilage and brace a "chronic injury" to his UCL.

The surgery, which was performed by Dr. Keith Meister, is expected to keep Arroyo out until April. He's expected to be ready for game action by then, per the post.

Of course, with spring training games first scheduled for late February, an April return leaves him anywhere between 5-8 weeks behind schedule.

Arroyo has been one of Seattle's top prospects since he was signed as an international free agent out of Colombia in 2022. He's possessed arguably the best contact tool in the team's farm system since his signing.

The 21-year-old was originally signed as a shortstop but transitioned to second base, where he spent most of his minor league career before being moved out to left field in 2025. In the minors this year, he played 572.2 innings in left field and 357 innings at second base across stints with the Double-A Arkansas Travelers and Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers.

Arroyo received his major league call-up Sept. 6. He didn't receive regular playing time before the season ended and when he did, it was mostly at second base. He registered 34 innings in the middle infield and 20 innings in the outfield in the big leagues.

The multi-positional prospect made the most of his limited at-bats. In 41 plate appearances across 15 games, Arroyo slashed .371/.439/.514 with a .953 OPS. He hit two doubles and a home run with four RBIs. He stole two bases in as many attempts.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the MLB and MLB Players Association expires Dec. 1. After that date, there will be a likely lockout and teams will be unable to make any moves pertaining to their major league roster. That means the Mariners could have a harder time finding an outfielder to help cover for Arroyo's absence.

If the lockout extends into the season, there's a chance that Arroyo could be back in time for a new Opening Day. However, if the original Opening Day (late March) is kept, Arroyo will likely start the year on the injured list.

Pending other potential additions to the team, Brendan Donovan could play left field. Donovan was limited to 39 games this season due to two stints on the injured list with a left groin strain and a third IL stint with a concussion.

Catching prospect Boston Smith played left field in the Arizona Fall League, but isn't currently on the 40-man roster and ended the season assigned to Double-A.

Arroyo's injury and Donovan's likely move to the outfield would leave shortstop and third base open.

Former M's top prospect Colt Emerson will be healthy for 2027 after ending the season on the injured list due to wrist surgery and is capable of playing either shortstop or third base.