Haniger (back) has seen some improvement in his back issues over the last couple of days but will not be on the Mariners' six-game road trip that begins Tuesday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports. "I'm just kind of waiting," manager Scott Servais said. "He is feeling better. The issues he had with his back are starting to calm down, which is good. It's just been a crazy year. Sometimes that happens."

EDGE Analysis

Haniger still technically retains a remote chance of seeing game action before the regular season concludes, although the potential for such naturally narrows with each passing day. The outfielder has been sidelined over three months at this point, and without the availability of minor-league rehab at-bats in the latter portion of September, his timing at the plate might leave much to be desired if he did manage a return.

Haniger (back) hasn't been ruled out for the rest of the regular season yet, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Haniger hasn't been cleared to resume baseball activities after being shut down from his rehab assignment, though the Mariners still believe he has a chance to return. Manager Scott Servais did admit that "the clock is ticking," however, so Haniger will likely need to progress quickly if he wishes to be reinstated from the injured list before the 2019 campaign comes to an end.

Haniger (groin/back) remains shut down from his rehab assignment due to back tightness and all indications are that he will not return this season, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The ailing outfielder received a second opinion on his back earlier in the week, an evaluation that yielded no reason for optimism, even as it didn't reveal any new concerns. Haniger's back issues have stubbornly resisted treatment to this point, and with rookie Kyle Lewis quickly making a splash with two home runs in his first two major-league games, the non-contending Mariners have even less reason to push Haniger back on the field at this late stage of the campaign.

Haniger (groin/back) didn't hear anything new from his second opinion on his strained lower back, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

EDGE Analysis

Haniger suffered the back setback in late August while working his way back from a ruptured testicle. The back issue hasn't been responding well to treatment, making it a virtual certainty that the outfielder's season is over unless his condition takes an unexpected turn for the better within the next few days.

Haniger (groin) will get a second opinion on his strained lower back, which has not been responding well to treatment, Russell Dorsey of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Haniger's original reason for hitting the injured list -- a ruptured testicle suffered in early June -- is actually further along than the lower-back strain the outfielder suffered during his rehab assignment in the latter part of last month. The issue has kept Haniger off the field since Aug. 23, and due to the fact his progress appears to be at a standstill at present, his chances or returning before the end of the season seem bleaker by the day.

Haniger (groin/back) is likely to remain in Seattle when the Mariners embark on a 10-game road trip beginning Thursday, the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

A report earlier in the week confirmed that Haniger remains in limbo with respect to a return to action after his latest setback with back tightness during his rehab assignment. Therefore, Wednesday's report that he's unlikely to travel isn't overly surprising, as the outfielder would likely need to jump back into action for multiple minor-league games before he's even seriously considered for activation.

Haniger (groin/back) no longer has a timetable for return in the wake of his latest setback, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports. "If that takes five days, great. If it takes two to three weeks, I have no idea," Haniger said. "They haven't given me a timeline because I don't think there is a timeline right now. We're just trying to get better every day and hopefully there'll be a point where I'm good to go."

EDGE Analysis

The latest development is discouraging on the surface, but Haniger still holds out hope of returning at some point this season. The outfielder estimates his current back issues stem from some overcompensation he was guilty of while moving around in the immediate wake of his early-June surgery for a ruptured testicle. Manager Scott Servais concurs with Haniger's desire to return before the conclusion of the 2019 campaign, if for no other reason than to see the 28-year-old head into the offseason with some momentum. "We absolutely want him back," Servais said. "For any player, it's just peace of mind. It has been a crazy year for him with the injuries and stuff, but you want to go into the offseason knowing, 'OK, I played the last month' or whatever. I'm not so much concerned with his performance or the numbers, just how he feels."

Haniger has been temporarily shut down from his rehab assignment due to back discomfort, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Haniger has been playing with Triple-A Tacoma on a rehab stint, though after experiencing back discomfort, he'll be shut down for the next few days. This isn't expected to have a major impact on his timetable, though more information his status moving forward should become clear after further testing.

Haniger (groin) went 1-for-4 with a two-run triple and a walk in Triple-A Tacoma's loss to Salt Lake on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Haniger was making his return to action and his Triple-A Tacoma rehab debut after sitting out the past couple of days with general soreness. The outfielder is in the last leg of his extended recovery from a ruptured testicle suffered June 6.

Haniger (groin) was still experiencing general soreness Monday and consequently did not make his rehab assignment debut with Triple-A Tacoma, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Scott Servais continues to emphasize that Haniger's injury hasn't experienced a setback in any way, but rather, that the outfielder is simply experiencing the soreness inherent in returning to game action after an extended layoff. The Mariners are also clearly being extra cautious with Haniger, given his importance and the team's absence of postseason aspirations.