According to a note from Daniel Kramer of MLB.com on Wednesday, Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford is dealing with a minor shoulder injury early in spring training.

J.P. Crawford is dealing with a minor shoulder issue that has precluded him from playing in a Cactus League game yet, per Dan Wilson ... Concern level appears low, and he did deal with something similar last spring.

It should be noted that Crawford actually did play in the Cactus League opener against the San Diego Padres, going 0-for-2 with a strikeout last Friday. Regardless, the most important part is that the concern level for Crawford is low.

Now 31 years old, Crawford is a nine-year veteran of the Philadelphia Phillies and Mariners. Acquired before the 2019 season, Crawford is the longest tenured member of the M's and one of the true team leaders in the M's clubhouse. A Gold Glove winner in 2020, he is also a lifetime .248 hitter with 67 home runs. He hit .265 a season ago with 12 homers and 58 RBIs as the Mariners advanced to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2001.

Headed into the final year of his contract, there are questions about his future with the organization. The Mariners have a group of young infielders in Cole Young, Colt Emerson and Michael Arroyo that all are in the plans in some way moving forward. Crawford provides plenty of value in the clubhouse and also has good on-base ability, but his defense has regressed.

Emerson, one of the top prospects in baseball, is a candidate to make the Opening Day roster at second or third base this year, but he profiles as the team's shortstop of the future. He's started at shortstop each of the last two days in Crawford's absence. His growth in 2026 will undoubtedly play into Crawford's future.

--The M's were linked to Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte earlier this offseason, but ultimately didn't make the move. Part of the reason for that? Reportedly because of their faith in Young, who is just 22 years old.

--Sticking with Emerson, he made a clever defensive attempt on Monday in a loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The umpires disallowed it, but the play still caught the attention of manager Dan Wilson after the game.

--Troy Taylor, battling for one of the final spots in the bullpen, struggled again on Tuesday. He gave up three earned runs on four hits and one walk against the White Sox. He worked just 0.2 innings.

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