Mariners’ Julio Rodriguez hits next milestone in recovery, no timetable for return

SEATTLE — Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez has started running as part of his recovery from a high ankle sprain, but the team remains unsure when their young star might return to the lineup.

General manager Justin Hollander said Friday that Rodriguez has started “running in a linear fashion” and is recovering “at a high rate of speed.” Hollander said the nature of the injury makes it difficult to know when Rodriguez will be ready to start making the lateral and cutting movements he will ultimately need to return to Seattle’s lineup.

“Julio is usually a fast healer and he’s younger, faster and stronger than almost anyone in the world, so he’s doing everything he can. I know he wants to come back here,” Hollander said.

Rodriguez injured his ankle on July 21 when he hit the center field wall while trying to catch a ball.

The update on Rodriguez came the same day Seattle placed reliever Gregory Santos on the 15-day injured list with biceps inflammation, but with hopes it would be a brief absence. Santos left the mound in the middle of the eighth inning Wednesday after feeling discomfort in his arm.

Seattle also claimed right-hander Jonathan Hernandez off waivers from Texas and designated right-hander Brett de Geus for assignment. Hernandez was 3-1 with a 5.05 ERA in 26 games this season for the Rangers. He was designated for assignment by Texas on Tuesday.

Another uncertain timeline for Seattle is shortstop JP Crawford, who was sidelined to take ground balls before Friday’s game as he continues to recover from a broken pinky finger in his right hand. Hollander said Crawford will have another round of X-rays Monday but won’t begin any progression in baseball activities until Aug. 19 at the earliest.

“It will take four weeks. It’s pretty aggressive, but it will be the shortest time frame. It just depends on what kind of healing we see,” Hollander said.

Outfielder Dominic Canzone (adductor) began a rehab assignment at Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday. Hollander said there was a chance he could be activated during that home stretch. Canzone has been out since July 10.