Dominic Canzone -- General News

The Seattle Mariners dominated the Houston Astros 10-2 on May 12, 2026, powered by career performances from Dominic Canzone and Randy Arozarena. Canzone, making his first career grand slam appearance, hit the go-ahead blast in the fourth inning off struggling Astros pitcher Tatsuya Imai to finish with 5 RBIs. Arozarena was equally impressive, going 4-for-4 with a home run, two doubles, and 3 RBIs, tying multiple career highs.

The Mariners' offensive explosion came against Imai, who continues to struggle following his return from more than a month of arm fatigue. In just four innings, Imai allowed six runs on five hits and walked three batters before the grand slam. Despite signing a three-year, $54 million contract with Houston after his time in Japan, Imai has posted a 9.24 ERA across four starts this season.

On the mound, Mariners starter Bryan Woo (3-2) was efficient, allowing just four hits and two runs while striking out nine over six innings. Cal Raleigh also snapped an 0-for-38 slump, the longest hitless streak in Major League Baseball this season, with a seventh-inning single. The victory marks Seattle's ninth consecutive win over the Astros, extending a franchise record, while Houston dropped their fourth consecutive game. The teams will continue their series Wednesday with RHP Bryce Miller making his season debut for Seattle against Lance McCullers Jr.

Dominic Canzone broke a 16-game home run drought with his first career grand slam in the Mariners' game against the Houston Astros. The left-handed slugger launched a center-cut first-pitch slider 381 feet off right-hander Tatsuya Imai with a 105.5 mph exit velocity, extending Seattle's lead to 6-2 in the fourth inning.

The grand slam was set up by command issues from Imai, who was making his first start back from the injured list with right arm fatigue. Imai hit both Randy Arozarena and Luke Raley with pitches while attempting to navigate the fourth inning, and walked J.P. Crawford to load the bases. Canzone then capitalized on a hanging slider to clear the bases. The home run also ended a 1-for-18 slump and marked only his second extra-base hit since April 21.

This was the second consecutive time the Mariners exploited Imai's inability to command his pitches. The Astros' prized free agent signing from Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball previously made his first career start against Seattle on April 10, where he failed to record an out in the first inning while allowing three runs on four walks and a hit batter.

Dominic Gene Canzone, 27, is a left-handed batter and right-handed thrower playing right field for the Seattle Mariners. Standing 6'0" and weighing 190 lbs, Canzone was drafted by Arizona in the 8th round (242nd overall) in 2019 and made his MLB debut on July 8, 2023. He was acquired by Seattle during the 2023 season.

Canzone's 2025 season shows marked improvement, posting a .281 batting average with 7 home runs, 17 RBIs, and 2 stolen bases over 153 at-bats for a .808 OPS. His career statistics across 494 at-bats show a .231 average, 21 home runs, 55 RBIs, and 4 stolen bases with a .702 OPS.

The 2024 season was challenging for Canzone, who struggled to a .196 average (33-for-168) across 67 games while recording 8 home runs and 17 RBIs. He made the Opening Day roster and appeared in left field against Boston but suffered two significant injuries: a left AC joint sprain (April 15-May 15) and a right adductor strain (July 10-August 8). Despite the difficulties, he recorded a career-high 4 hits on June 22 against Miami with 1 home run, 2 RBIs, and 3 runs scored.

A graduate of Ohio State University where he was a First Team All-Big Ten selection in 2019, Canzone has continued developing as a professional prospect following his college career.

Dominic Canzone has been removed from the Seattle Mariners' starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Royals. The decision stems from the Royals' deployment of left-handed starter Kris Bubic, marking the second time in the series that the Mariners will face a lefty pitcher. As a left-handed hitter, Canzone is being benched in favor of right-handed bat Rob Refsnyder, who will take over designated hitter duties. This represents a standard platoon decision based on pitcher-batter handedness matchup.