Fraley exits with right thumb injury, will get MRI

HOUSTON -- Mariners rookie center fielder Jake Fraley was removed from Saturday’s 2-1 loss to the Astros in the third inning after hurting his right thumb, and he will undergo an MRI on Monday when the team returns to Seattle to determine the extent of the injury.

Fraley and right fielder Mallex Smith converged on a fly ball hit to the gap by Yordan Alvarez for the final out of the first, with Fraley’s glove colliding with Smith’s as his teammate made the catch.

“We’re going to wait and see on Monday,” Fraley said. “My glove caught Mallex’s glove, the thumb side of my glove, and it just ripped my thumb back.”

Fraley remained in the game another inning, but he was taken out prior to his first at-bat in the third.

“It just swelled up real quick, and I wasn’t able to close my glove all the way,” Fraley said. “So after I couldn’t squeeze my glove, that was pretty much it. I didn’t want to chance anything being out there. And obviously, it’s going to hurt even worse when I’m swinging.”

Fraley is the Mariners’ No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline, but he’s struggled in his first 12 games since being called up from Triple-A Tacoma on Aug. 20, batting .150 with two doubles and one RBI in 40 at-bats.

The 24-year-old was acquired from the Rays last November as part of the Mike Zunino trade that also brought Smith to Seattle.

Rookie Tim Lopes pinch-hit for Fraley in the third, then took over in right field as Smith shifted to center.