Jorge Polanco DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Seattle Mariners second baseman Jorge Polanco (knee) is making his Cactus League debut on Monday against the Cleveland Guardians, serving as the designated hitter and batting third. Polanco was held back early in spring training this year after having surgery to six the patellar tendon in his left knee last October. As long as he doesn't have any setbacks with his surgically-repaired knee once he resumes playing in games in spring training, the 31-year-old veteran infielder should be ready for Opening Day at the end of this month. Polanco has plenty of bounce-back potential in fantasy in 2025, but he's also a pretty big injury risk, having played in 120 games only three times since debuting in the big leagues in 2017. The switch-hitting Dominican did have 33 homers in 2021 and has intriguing power for a second baseman, but his injury history merely makes him a late-round flier in deep-mixed leagues.

Seattle Mariners second baseman Jorge Polanco (knee) took swings off a batting machine in camp on Wednesday. Injuries continued to limit Polanco in 2024, as he dealt with hamstring and knee injuries before needing surgery on the patellar tendon in his left knee last October. When the 31-year-old Dominican was on the field, he struggled to the tune of a .213/.296/.355 slash line with a career-low .651 OPS, 16 home runs, 45 RBI, four steals, 43 runs and a career-high 137 strikeouts in 118 games. He should be ready to roll by Opening Day in late March, but Polanco's inability to avoid lower-body injuries over the years has dramatically lowered his fantasy stock entering the 2025 season. Polanco could rebound and has 14-plus homers in each of his last five full seasons, but he also has reached 120 games only three times in 11 seasons.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports that free-agent infielder Jorge Polanco (knee) agreed to re-sign with the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night for a one-year, $7.75 million guaranteed deal, pending a physical, according to sources. The Houston Astros had known interest in Polanco, but he'll return to the Mariners after the acquired him from the Minnesota Twins a year ago. His deal includes a $750,000 buyout on a vesting player/mutual option for 2026 based on plate appearances. Rosenthal says the M's plan to use Polanco at third base in 2025. The 31-year-old Dominican infielder battled through a knee injury and struggled to a .213/.296/.355 slash line with 16 homers and 45 RBI in 118 games in Seattle last year. With better health, Polanco could bounce back, but he's also played in 120 games in a season just once in 11 MLB campaigns. Dylan Moore should be the favorite to start at the keystone for Seattle.