I always wondered if his altered stance because of the bone spurs helped him have that good season. It’s hard to come up with such a silver lining for a hand injury. And yet, his months after it were far from his worst months at the plate in an M’s uniform. Perhaps pain distracts him from overthinking, or something.

The left hand is his glove hand, though, and a lot of his value lies in that glove. We’re likely to see him sit out parts of games, and get more rest days. Expect M’s pitching to look worse as a consequence.

After making the wrong diagnosis, the Mariners compounded the mistake by letting Beltre play after only five days rest, even though the pain was still severe.

The Mariners had four (4) months to order an MRI, but failed to act.

When the season concluded, the Mariners told Beltre the pain would go away with rest. There is no allegation that the Mariners suggested that Beltre immediately undergo an MRI in October.

Having said all the above, I am not certain we have all the facts yet.

Blaming Beltre for this, however, is ludicrous.

No, because the team blew the initial diagnosis:

“…The diagnosis at the time was a sprained thumb….When the injury, which was supposed to heal with rest, didn’t come around after the season ended, Beltre finally underwent an MRI exam at the urging of the team’s medical staff….”