Jul 1, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners left fielder Jesse Winker (27) reacts after hitting a fly-out with the bases loaded against the Oakland Athletics to end the seventh inning at T-Mobile Park. Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Mariners OF Jesse Winker exits game against Astros after first-base collision

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 7/24/22

Seattle Mariners outfielder Jesse Winker left Sunday's contest against the Houston Astros with a right ankle sprain.

In the bottom half of the second inning, Winker collided with Astros' infielder Jeremy Pena running through first base while attempting to run out a groundball.

Jeremy Peña with a nifty defensive play on the ground ball by Jesse Winker. The two collided at the end of the play and Jesse got the worst of it. In a classy move by Jeremy he stopped by to check on the Mariners left fielder. pic.twitter.com/r8bKRMyBsY
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) July 24, 2022

Winker is considered day-to-day, and the Mariners will re-evaluate his status Monday.

Jesse Winker turned over his right ankle on the collision with Jeremy Peña and is day to day. The Mariners will reassess his status tomorrow.
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) July 24, 2022

After the game, Winker said he rolled his ankle after stepping on Pena's foot but doesn't believe the injury is serious. He downplayed the injury, comparing it to rolling an ankle while playing basketball.

Jesse Winker said that he rolled his ankle by stepping on Jeremy Peña's foot, and though he was limping in the clubhouse, it sounds like it's not all that significant.

"It's like you roll your ankle playing basketball, so I mean, it's not that big of a deal."
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) July 25, 2022

An All-Star in 2021 for the Cincinnati Reds, Winker has struggled in his first season as a Mariner. Through 87 games, Winker is slashing .227/.335/.345 with eight home runs and 35 RBI.

During the Mariners' recent 14-game winning streak, Winker was largely invisible. Winker played in eight of those victories, going 7-for-33 while batting .212/.257/.394 with two home runs and two RBI.

Last season, Winker posted career highs in home runs (24) and RBI (71), batting .305/.394/.556 in 110 games for the Reds.

The Mariners acquired Winker and infielder Eugenio Suarez in a March trade with the Reds in exchange for Brandon Williamson, Justin Dunn, Jake Fraley and a player to be named later.

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