Crawford on bereavement list; Long Jr. to IL

Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford will miss at least the next three games after being placed on the bereavement list to deal with a family situation prior to Friday’s series opener against the D-backs in Phoenix.

The Mariners recalled utility infielder Donovan Walton from their alternate training site to take Crawford’s spot on the 28-man Major League roster. Walton was with the team on its current road trip as part of the traveling taxi squad.

“Somebody very close to him passed away,” manager Scott Servais said. “We’re wishing him all the best. It’s such a sad time and a reminder that these players are more than players. They are people with families and there are always things going on in the background. He’ll be out for a few days. I don’t know exactly when he’ll be back.”

Players on the bereavement list must miss a minimum of three games and a maximum of seven, so Crawford will be out at least until the Mariners return home to open their final 10-game homestand of the season on Monday.

The 25-year-old has been batting leadoff and playing excellent defense at shortstop for the Mariners this season. He’s posted a .239/.339/.342 line with two home runs, 27 runs, 15 RBIs and five stolen bases and leads all American League shortstops in defensive runs saved, per FanGraphs.

Veteran second baseman Dee Strange-Gordon got the start in Friday night’s game and versatile utility man Dylan Moore and Walton are also capable of playing there. Crawford has started all but two of Seattle’s games at shortstop this season, with Strange-Gordon and Moore each getting one start at that position. Walton, 26, has spent most of the season at the club’s alternate site in Tacoma, but appeared in one game at second base with the Mariners on Aug. 31 and went 0-for-3 with a walk.

Long goes on injured list
The Mariners made a late roster move before Friday night’s game, with infielder Shed Long Jr. placed on the 10-day injured list with a stress fracture in his right shin. Long hadn’t played since Tuesday’s game against the Giants and had lost his starting job in recent weeks after batting .171 in his first 34 games.

Right-handed reliever Brady Lail was recalled from the alternate training site to take his spot. With Crawford on the bereavement list, that left only third-string catcher Joseph Hudson on the available taxi squad as the Mariners only brought three extra players on the five-game trip.

Smith outrighted to Triple-A
The Mariners also outrighted outfielder Mallex Smith to Triple-A Tacoma on Friday. The move opens a spot on the 40-man roster, which now is at 37. The 26-year-old opened the season as Seattle’s starting right fielder, but was optioned to the alternate training site after batting just .133 in his first 14 games.

By being outrighted to Tacoma, Smith no longer will be part of the 60-man player pool or practice at the alternate site. Smith led the AL in stolen bases last year with 46 while hitting .227/.300/.335 in 134 games after being acquired from the Rays along with outfielder Jake Fraley in exchange for Mike Zunino, Guillermo Heredia and Minor League pitcher Michael Plassmeyer.

Hancock takes mound in Tacoma
Right-hander Emerson Hancock, the Mariners’ first-round Draft pick last June, threw 26 pitches in a batting practice session on Friday at Tacoma’s Cheney Stadium in his first action off the mound against live hitters at the alternate training site.

Hancock got four ground balls and one strikeout while facing Noelvi Marte, Alberto Rodriguez and Taylor Trammell in the simulated situation.

Relievers Brandon Brennan (strained left oblique) and Erik Swanson (strained right forearm) also got some throwing in as they continue working to rejoin the big league club before the season ends. But the club canceled the scheduled intrasquad game that was to follow due to the smoky conditions that have descended on the region from wildfires on the West Coast.

“It felt good to get back out there and get the adrenaline going. It’s been a while,” said Hancock, who is being brought along slowly in his first exposure to pro ball.

The former Georgia standout is hoping to pitch a few innings in intrasquad action in the final two weeks at the training site.

“The process has been great,” he said. “I can’t thank the trainers and coaches enough for putting the time and work they have in for me. We wanted to make sure everything was sound and we were ready to go, while building up and having some bullpens and maybe even get a chance to get in a game a couple times. I think it’s worked out well. It’s nice to not be rushed and just kind of work on some things. Now’s the time we can really do that.”

Bishop powering up
Since being optioned back to the alternate training site on Sept. 1, outfielder Braden Bishop has been putting on a power display during the intrasquad scrimmages, including a pair of home runs off top pitching prospect Logan Gilbert in one outing.

Bishop is known more for his speed and defense than his pop, but if he continues driving the ball it’ll create a better chance to contribute somewhere.

“I’m just using this whole year as an opportunity to keep progressing, whether up there or down here,” Bishop said on a video call from Tacoma. “It’s either progress or digress. I’m pretty happy with the work I’ve put in down here. Emotionally the roller coaster of getting called up and sent down is tough. People can’t really see that, but I feel it. But I’m happy with my work and how guys are playing together. And we’re having fun.”