SEATTLE -- The Major League debut of Tim Lopes lasted just three plate appearances. The rookie second baseman was placed on the 7-day concussion injured list Friday after getting hit in the head with a 91 mph fastball on Thursday, with the Mariners now turning to another newcomer in Ryan Court to fill their short-handed infield.

Court, a 31-year-old who was playing independent league ball earlier this year, was promoted from Triple-A Tacoma to take Lopes’ spot prior to Friday night’s game with the Tigers. Court posted a .279/.377/.581 slash line with nine homers and 37 RBIs in 37 games for Tacoma.

First baseman Ryon Healy was transferred from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL to open a spot on the 40-man roster for Court, who will become the Mariners’ 58th player used this season, once he gets in a game. The Orioles have used the second-most players in MLB at 49, and Seattle is fast approaching its franchise record of 61 players in a single season, set in 2017.

“This roster has been crazy,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said after Lopes landed on the IL shortly after arriving. “Obviously you work your tail off to get to the big leagues and something like that happens, it’s unfortunate. You have to fight through it and hopefully Tim will be OK and get back in there. He’s obviously disappointed.”

But Lopes’ misfortune represents an opportunity for the next man in line, who turned out to be Court.

“I’ve definitely felt like I could play up here for a while and I’m really fortunate to get the opportunity,” said Court. “It’s overwhelming. The biggest thing is all the people that have helped over the years. That’s the first thing that comes to mind. I’m just really grateful. It’s been almost nine years of the grind, so I’m ecstatic.”

Court played eight games for the Sugar Land Skeeters in the Atlantic League after being released in late March by the Cubs, then signed with the Mariners on May 7. He also played independent ball in 2016 and has been with four organizations in his Minor League career. 

“When you still love the game, it doesn’t matter where you’re playing, as long as you still have a jersey,” he said. “I know it sounds cliché, but until they take that jersey off your back, you have to play as long as you can. Our window is so small and I’ve always wanted to be here.”

Though Court was drafted as a third baseman and has developed into a utility infielder during his pro career, Servais said he’ll primarily play right field for now with Domingo Santana sidelined by a strained elbow.

Court will be making his first MLB appearance once he gets in a game, which would make him the 14th player to debut this year for Seattle. He was a 23rd-round Draft pick of the D-backs in 2011 out of Illinois State.

Lopes, 25, made his MLB debut on Wednesday as a late-inning defensive replacement, then got his first start in Thursday’s 10-2 victory over Detroit. He went 0-for-1 with a walk, the hit-by-pitch and scored two runs. He stayed in the game for two innings after getting hit in the ear flap by Tigers starter Drew VerHagen, but was replaced by Dylan Moore in the seventh.

Worth noting

• Santana took batting practice prior to Friday’s game without issue and could be available to play at designated hitter as soon as Saturday, but his strained right elbow will keep him out of right field for some time.

• Veteran reliever Hunter Strickland, sidelined since late May with a strained right lat muscle, threw a perfect inning with two strikeouts for Tacoma at Reno on Thursday and likely will be activated off the 60-day IL this weekend.

• Rookie reliever Austin Adams has been cleared by the doctor to resume throwing on Saturday after being shut down again recently due to pain from scar tissue as he works back from a strained right shoulder that landed him on the 10-day IL on July 4.

“It’s just annoying,” Adams said. “You want to have a sense of urgency, but you don’t want to set yourself back to where it’s September and they shut you down to next year and say, ‘Congrats, you had one good month.’ I’m trying to get back out there, but be smart with it.”

• Servais said Felix Hernandez will likely throw another live batting practice session on Sunday before a determination is made on when he’ll begin a Minor League rehab stint. He threw a 22-pitch live BP on Thursday as he comes back from a right lat strain that has wiped out most of his season.