Mariners shortstop Chris Taylor out 4-6 weeks with broken wrist

Chris Taylor suffered a fractured bone in his right wrist when he was hit by a pitch Friday. (AP)

The battle for the Mariners’ starting shortstop position is becoming clearer, but not in a way the Mariners were hoping for.

Chris Taylor will be out 4-6 to six weeks with a broken wrist suffered in Friday’s Cactus League game against the Milwaukee Brewers, the team announced Saturday. The fracture of his right triquetrum bone occurred when Taylor was hit by a pitch in the sixth inning by Milwaukee pitcher Jim Henderson. Taylor actually remained in the game after being struck and even hit a single later in the game before being lifted for a pinch-runner.

Taylor will be in a brace for 7-10 days.

The 24-year-old Taylor was in the midst of a strong spring training, hitting .421 with a double, two triples and a home run in 19 at-bats over eight games. He made his MLB debut on July 24, 2014, hitting .287 over 47 games with Seattle last year.

The shortstop job is now 25-year-old Brad Miller’s to lose. Miller, entering his third MLB season, is hitting .400 with two homers and two doubles in 15 at-bats over six Cactus League contests.

The Mariners also have veteran utility man Willie Bloomquist on the roster, who could make a play for time at shortstop while Taylor recovers.