Haniger headed to DL after being hit by pitch

Mariners RF Mitch Haniger departed Saturday’s game against the New York Mets at Safeco Field in the second inning after he was hit in the face by a 95-mph fastball from Jacob deGrom. The pitch sent Haniger to the ground, but he was fully alert as he was escorted off the field. He was later examined at a hospital.

Following Seattle’s 3-2 victory over the Mets Sunday, the Mariners said that Haniger had a “mouth contusion” and that more information would come Monday. But manager Scott Servais said in his postgame remarks that Haniger would require time on the disabled list.

“Obviously, any time that happens it’s a little scary,” said Servais. “There was no fracture and his teeth are okay. There was a severe laceration on the upper lip and it could have been a lot worse. But he was never unconscious. You hate to see that happen. He’ll be out a little while. He’ll head to the DL and will need some time down.”

Haniger was off to a hot start in April, hitting .342 with four home runs and 16 RBIs. But after a six-week stint on the disabled list with a strained oblique, followed by a bruised finger, he has struggled. Haniger is batting .255 with seven homers and 24 RBIs.

The Mariners are 52-53 after Sunday’s win over the Mets, but are also four games behind for the AL’s second wild card spot after starting the week 2.5 in arrears.