Pollock is hitting eighth and playing left field Sunday against the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

It's the first playing time of the season for Pollock, who somewhat surprisingly sat for the first three games against the Guardians to open the 2023 season. The outfielder is expected to be a regular against left-handers and could hit in the middle of the order for those occasions, but the M's will give him a shot against right-hander Cal Quantrill for Sunday's contest. Tommy La Stella heads to the bench in his place.

Pollock remains stuck on the bench for Saturday's game against Cleveland.

EDGE Analysis

Pollock appeared set to play at least fairly regularly this season after signing a one-year, $7 million deal in early January. Through three games, it doesn't look like that's the case. Jarred Kelenic, Julio Rodriguez and Teoscar Hernandez have started from left to right across the outfield for three straight games, while the designated hitter starts have gone to Tommy La Stella twice and Cooper Hummel once. Pollock might have to wait until the Mariners face a lefty to get his first opportunity.

Pollock is out of the Mariners' starting lineup again Friday against the Guardians.

EDGE Analysis

Pollock did not appear in Thursday's season opener and is on the bench again Friday, with Jarred Kelenic, Julio Rodriguez and Teoscar Hernandez covering the outfield. Cooper Hummel is at DH and hitting eighth. Pollock still has fantasy-relevant skills at age 35, but he'll need to actually play to make them count.

Pollock is hitting .143 (4-for-28) with a double, one walk and one run across 10 Cactus League games.

EDGE Analysis

Pollock has gone down on strikes eight times as well, making for an inauspicious start to his Mariners tenure. Nevertheless, the veteran outfielder mustered an underwhelming .245/.292/.389 slash line across 138 games during his lone White Sox campaign in 2022, but he demonstrated he still had plenty of pop in his bat by rapping out 41 extra-base hits across 527 plate appearances. Pollock is in line to see regular playing time between designated hitter duties and a rotational role in the outfield.

Pollock was removed from Sunday's Cactus League lineup against the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

There's been no announcement of an injury to this point, so Pollock's removal from the starting nine may have nothing to do with his health. Barring an update from the team, the veteran outfielder should be expected to return to game action within a day or two.

Pollock signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the Mariners on Saturday, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pollock was below the league average as a hitter (92 wRC+) in 2022 for the first time since 2016. Even in a down year, he still crushed southpaws to the tune of a .286/.316/.619 slash line in 133 plate appearances. Pollock played double-digit games at each outfield spot last season, so his defensive versatility also appealed to Seattle. As things stand, Pollock should get close to everyday work to start his age-35 season, but he could transition to the short side of a platoon if he struggles again against righties.

Pollock declined his $13 million player option for 2023 and received a $5 million buyout to become a free agent Tuesday, Buster Olney of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Known as a solid offensive threat throughout his time in Arizona and Los Angeles, Pollock posted a career-worst .681 OPS in upon joining the White Sox in 2022. Despite this, the 34-year-old outfielder was still able to crush left-handed pitching with a .935 OPS and 11 home runs in 133 plate appearances against southpaws. His dominance against lefties could prove to be valuable for teams in search of a rotational piece in the outfield.

Pollock isn't starting Wednesday against the Twins, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pollock started the last four games and went 3-for-13 with a double, three runs, a stolen base, a walk and three strikeouts. He'll get a breather for Wednesday's season finale while Adam Engel starts in center field and bats eighth.

Pollock went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a steal in Monday's win over the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

The 34-year-old showed he still has some speed as he came across to score twice and recorded his third stolen base of the season. He singled and scored on a home run in his first at-bat and later singled, stole second and scored on a base hit. Pollock has been hitting well to close the season, batting .300 (15-for-50) with four home runs over his last 14 games. He is slashing .247/.294/.392 through 137 games this season.

Pollock Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune Friday's game against the Padres, source reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pollock has gone 7-for-21 with a home run and two RBI over the past week, and he will get a day off Friday to rest. Mark Payton will step in to cover center field and bat second.