Seattle Mariners first baseman Ty France made history on Friday when he surpassed Hall of Fame designated hitter Edgar Martinez for the most hit-by-pitches in Seattle franchise history. However, the achievement came at a cost as France suffered a hairline fracture in his right heel, forcing him to be placed on the 10-day injured list.

France, 29, was hit by an 86 mph slider in the first inning of Friday's series opener against the Kansas City Royals. Despite the injury, he remained in the game and even performed admirably, going 2-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI. But the following day, France was scratched from the lineup, and the team decided to place him on the injured list.

Seattle wasted no time in finding a replacement for France, as they promoted 23-year-old first baseman Tyler Locklear from Triple-A Tacoma. Locklear, one of the Mariners' top hitting prospects and their 2022 second-round pick, is set to make his major league debut on Sunday. He will be starting at first base and batting seventh in the series finale against the Royals.

Locklear's promotion came less than two weeks after his stint in Triple-A Tacoma, where he showcased his skills with a batting average of .300 and an OPS of .892 in 10 games. Mariners manager Scott Servais expressed confidence in Locklear, emphasizing that he will be given ample playing time and not just used in a platoon situation.

In addition to Locklear's call-up, the Mariners also made a move to bolster their injury-depleted bullpen. Right-handed pitcher Matt Bowman, who signed a minor league contract with the team on June 4, was promoted to add a fresh arm to the roster. Bowman has appeared in nine MLB games this season, posting a 5.02 ERA and 1.12 WHIP.

As part of the roster shuffle, right-handed pitcher Collin Snider was optioned back to Triple-A Tacoma after making two scoreless appearances during his call-up. Meanwhile, right-handed pitchers Levi Stoudt and Eduardo Salazar were designated for assignment after struggling in their respective outings.

With France's timeline for return uncertain, the Mariners will rely on Locklear to fill the void at first base. Despite the setback, France's recent performance has been impressive, hitting .296 with three home runs, four doubles, and a .978 OPS in his last 17 games. Manager Servais emphasized that France's position as a first baseman may aid in his quicker return, but no specific timeline has been provided.

The Mariners will look to Locklear and the rest of their revamped roster to continue their pursuit of success as they navigate through injuries and roster changes.