At 25-17, the Mariners entered Sunday up a game and a half in the American League West. Unfortunately, maintaining that lead just got a little tougher. On Sunday, the M's placed shortstop Ketel Marte on the disabled list with a sprained thumb, a day after he injured it sliding into second base.

Marte heads to the DL with a .276/.307/.378 slash line and five stolen bases. What's more is he'd started at short in 40 of the Mariners' previous 42 games (including each of the last 28), and had played better lately, with nine of his 12 extra-base hits coming during May. Essentially, the Mariners have to do more over the next few weeks than replace their shortstop -- they have to replace one of their hotter hitters.

The brunt of that task will fall on Chris Taylor. Recalled from the minors on Sunday, Taylor has seen time in the majors in each of the last two seasons, albeit to mixed results. In 2014, he looked to possess enough contact and on-base ability to profile as a potential starter. Alas, last season he hit a ghastly .170/.220/.223 during a 37-game cameo. Taylor's performance in Triple-A (.294/.374/.464) suggests those skills are still in there somewhere, and that he just needs time to make the transition to the Show.

The M's sure hope so, because their non-Taylor options are uninspiring. There's Luis Sardinas, who recorded more strikeouts (eight) than hits (four) during his run as the club's utility man, and former minor-league journeyman Shawn O'Malley. Neither is cut out for starting duty.

If there is good news in this whole thing, it's twofold: 1) that Marte probably won't miss much time beyond the 15-day minimum; and 2) that the Mariners are taking the big-picture view with one of their promising youngsters. And hey, with series against the A's, Twins, and Padres coming up, maybe the Mariners will be able to hold onto that division lead, with or without their starting shortstop.

The Mariners are lacking SS depth now that Ketel Marte is on the disabled list. USATSI