The Seattle Mariners ' No. 1 prospect entering the 2026 season reportedly isn't expected to play again this year.
Infielder Colt Emerson is set to undergo season-ending wrist surgery on Wednesday, according to The Seattle Times' Adam Jude . The 2023 first-round draft pick is "expected to be ready by spring training but may be monitored closely in camp," according to MLB.com's Daniel Kramer .
Emerson made headlines this spring by inking an eight-year, $95 million contract extension with the Mariners before ever playing in the majors. The 21-year-old then made his MLB debut in May and appeared in 69 games for Seattle before landing on the injured list with left wrist tendon inflammation this month. Now, the young infielder will seemingly turn his attention toward preparing for the 2027 season.
Jul 11, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Colt Emerson (4) throws to first base during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Pablo Robles-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
With Emerson expected to miss the rest of the 2026 season, the lefty-swinging infielder will finish his first year in the big leagues with a .190 batting average, a .246 on-base percentage, and a .581 OPS. The 21-year-old had eight home runs and 23 RBIs in 69 games with Seattle this year. But it's fair to say that the rookie's wrist injury may have impacted his offensive production this year.
Before he went on the injured list on Aug. 14, initial reports suggested that the Mariners were considering demoting Emerson to the minors. The highly touted prospect began his time in the big leagues by producing a .244 batting average and an .852 OPS in 13 games in May. Despite launching five homers in June, he hit .205 in 24 games that month. And then, the 2023 first-rounder posted a .145 batting average in July and hit .182 in August.
Even though he struggled at the plate in the majors this year, Emerson is expected to be a big part of Seattle's future. But the Mariners are still in the American League playoff picture this season. Seattle entered Monday with a 62-69 record, yet the team is just three games back of the AL's third and final Wild Card spot.
While Emerson won't be able to help the Mariners reach the postseason this year, many Seattle fans will be waiting to see the talented prospect return to action next season.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/onsi/minor-league-baseball as Colt Emerson's Rookie Season With Mariners Reportedly Ending Early .
