The Seattle Mariners started the minor league rehab assignment for shortstop J.P. Crawford on Tuesday, potentially putting him on track to return to the team on Friday.

A rain-soaked wrench has been thrown into that plan.

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The Tacoma Rainiers’ game Wednesday night against the El Paso Chihuahuas at Cheney Stadium has been rained out. Crawford was set to play shortstop and hit second for the Rainiers, just as he did Tuesday night.

Sadly, this is not an April Fools’ joke, tonight’s game has been postponed.
The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Saturday, April 4th, with first pitch of game 1 at 5:05 PM.
For more more information, visit https://t.co/PVH8KNT2bz pic.twitter.com/2og1PmL0Of

— Tacoma Rainiers (@RainiersLand) April 2, 2026

The 31-year-old Crawford opened the MLB season on the Mariners’ 10-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation, which had limited him to seven Cactus League games with just 18 plate appearances in spring training.

Crawford remained in Arizona when camp broke for the big league season, then rejoined the Mariners on Saturday, participating in batting practice and fielding drills.

On Tuesday, Crawford reported to Tacoma and went 0 for 4 with a walk in a 6-4 loss to the Chihuahuas, who are a San Diego Padres affiliate.

It’s possible Crawford would have played Wednesday and then left to join the Mariners ahead of Friday’s series opener against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim. That being said, with the M’s off Thursday and the Rainiers set to play El Paso at 7:05 p.m., there’s still the potential of him getting a second rehab game in and then returning to Seattle’s lineup Friday. But if the plan was for him to get three rehab games in, it could mean his MLB season debut being pushed back a bit.

Crawford had a 3.8 bWAR in 2025, the second-highest mark for his career, and slashed .265/.352/.370 with a .722 OPS, 12 homers and 24 doubles for the Mariners.

Mariners Radio Network coverage of the Mariners’ series opener Friday against the Angels will begin at 6 p.m. with the pregame show. Click here for details on how to hear the broadcast featuring legendary play-by-play Rick Rizzs in his final season on the call.

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