Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Mariners Rumors

Mariners Place Justin Dunn On Injured List, Outright Eric Campbell

By | at

10:10 pm: Dunn doesn’t sound overly concerned about the injury, telling the Mariners television crew his shoulder “just didn’t bounce back” the way he’d expected after his start on May 29 (h/t to Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times). Dunn believes he’ll only need a few days of rest before he can ramp activities back up.

8:45 pm: The Mariners announced they’re placing right-hander Justin Dunn on the injured list, retroactive to June 1, with inflammation in his throwing shoulder. Fellow righty Robert Dugger has been recalled to take his active roster spot. The team did not provide a timetable for Dunn’s potential return.

Dunn has made nine starts for Seattle this year, tossing 45 1/3 innings of 3.18 ERA ball. That’s high-end bottom line production, although his underlying metrics indicate he’s been rather fortunate to keep runs off the board at that level. Dunn’s striking out batters at an average 23.4% clip, but he’s issuing walks at a very high 14.1% rate. Opposing hitters have only managed a .196 batting average on balls in play against Dunn, who has stranded an unsustainably high 82% of baserunners to this point.

To his credit, Dunn has missed a few more bats than ever this season. The aforementioned strikeout rate is his career-best mark, as is his 9.9% swinging strike rate. He’s also working with career-high velocity. Dunn’s average four-seam fastball speed sits at 93.7 MPH, up more than two ticks relative to last year’s mark. His development is welcome news for a Mariners club counting on the former Mets first-rounder to cement himself as a long-term rotation option.

Seattle has rolled with a six-man rotation throughout the season. Dugger, who has started a pair of his eight MLB appearances, seems likely to step into that mix. Alternatively, the M’s could allow each of Yusei Kikuchi, Chris Flexen, Logan Gilbert, Justus Sheffield and Marco Gonzales to take the ball every fifth day. The Mariners have remained committed to the six-man starting staff all year, but depth starters Nick Margevicius, Ljay Newsome and Erik Swanson are all now on the injured list.

Seattle also announced they’ve outrighted corner infielder Eric Campbell to Triple-A Tacoma. Campbell, who has already cleared waivers, has the right to reject the assignment in favor of free agency, having previously been outrighted in his career. He played in four games for Seattle this year, his first big league action since 2016. The Mariners now have two vacancies on their 40-man roster.

Mets Claim Travis Blankenhorn, Designate Wilfredo Tovar For Assignment

By | at

The Mets have claimed infielder Travis Blankenhorn off waivers from the Mariners, per the Athletic’s Tim Britton (via Twitter). The Mets will be Blankenhorn’s fourth organization of the 2021 season. He has been added to the active roster.

Not unrelated, Wilfredo Tovar was designated for assignment. The 29-year-old infielder made just 12 appearances in his second stint with the Mets. He managed two hits and a walk while striking out four times. Tovar was originally signed as a amateur out of Venezuela by New York way back in 2007. He made 34 total plate appearances for the Mets across three seasons. If he passes through waivers, he’ll have the opportunity to stay with the organization.

Despite being so well-traveled, Blankenhorn does not have a Major League plate appearance this season. He did score a run in a pinch-running appearance for the Twins. He was 1-for-3 in four plate appearances with the Twins in 2020.

Blankenhorn’s stay in Queens may also prove a temporary one, as the Mets are continually dealing with an injury-ravaged roster. At present, infielders J.D. Davis, Luis Guillorme, and Jeff McNeil are all on the injured list along with outfielders Brandon Nimmo, Michael Conforto, Johneshwy Fargas, and Albert Almora Jr.

Mariners Activate Marco Gonzales, Recall Taylor Trammell, Place Kyle Lewis On 10-Day Injured List, Option Robert Dugger

By | at

The Mariners announced a slew of impactful roster moves this afternoon, starting with the reigning Rookie of the Year in the American League Kyle Lewis going back on the injured list – this time with a right meniscus tear, per the team. Robert Dugger also departs; Seattle optioned the right-hander to Triple-A.

In good news, Marco Gonzales is re-joining the team from the injured list, as anticipated. He will start tonight’s ballgame for the Mariners. If the third-place M’s are going to make an unexpected run at relevancy this year, they’ll need Gonzales to be a force in the rotation. He has made five starts on the season with a 5.40 ERA/5.52 FIP.

As for Lewis, it’s not yet clear if the tear is significant, but he has had multiple procedures performed on that knee, notes Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times. That’s certainly not ideal for a player like Lewis, whose athleticism is a key asset. He has appeared in just 36 of the Mariners’ 55 games this season, posting 0.7 bWAR and a 112 wRC+ in that time.

While losing Lewis definitely smarts, Mariners’ fans will have another young outfielder to tune in for: Taylor Trammell has been recalled after a successful stint in Triple-A. Trammell posted some highlights at the start of the season, but ultimately slumped to a .157/.255/.337 line in 95 plate appearances.

It’s easy to forget because he’s been traded twice, but Trammell remains a top prospect, and he’s still just 23 years old. Prior to this season, he had not played about Double-A, but he found himself on the opening day roster nevertheless. When he was optioned on May 13th, then, it was his first thwack at Triple-A, and he took it: .384/.413/.726 with six home runs in 80 plate appearances for the Tacoma Rainiers.

Finally, Dugger returns to the minors with a 6.06 ERA in eight appearances (two starts). A 4.83 FIP suggests Dugger has dealt with a touch of small-sample bad luck. The former Marlin has induced a 39.6 percent groundball rate with a 22.1 percent strikeout rate and 8.3 percent walk rate in 16 1/3 innings for Seattle’s parent club.

Injured List Returns: Fraley, Lopes, Wahl

By | at

As injury news continues to dominate baseball, here’s the latest on a few players who are returning to action…

  • The Mariners reinstated outfielder Jake Fraley from the 10-day injured list, with infielder Eric Campbell heading to Triple-A to make room for Fraley on the active roster.  Fraley has been on the IL since suffering a left hamstring strain while making a diving catch in Seattle’s 10-4 loss to the White Sox on April 6.  He has seen action at all three outfield positions during his 24-game MLB career, and he’ll provide the Mariners with some depth behind the regular outfield trio of Kyle Lewis, Mitch Haniger, and Jarred Kelenic.
  • The Brewers announced that utilityman Tim Lopes and right-hander Bobby Wahl were optioned to Triple-A after being reinstated from the 60-day IL.  Both players have been sidelined by oblique strains suffered during Spring Training.  Lopes is still looking to make his Brewers debut after being claimed off waivers from the Mariners back in December.  Wahl has appeared in parts of three MLB seasons with the A’s, Mets, and Brewers, tossing 2 1/3 innings for Milwaukee in 2020 after missing the entire 2019 campaign recovering from a torn ACL.

Giants Acquire Sam Delaplane

By | at

The Giants have acquired right-hander Sam Delaplane from the Mariners in exchange for cash considerations.  Delaplane has been optioned to the Giants’ Triple-A affiliate.

Delaplane was designated for assignment earlier this week, and will be out of action for likely the first half of the 2022 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April.  However, the Giants took the opportunity to trade for a local product (Delaplane is from San Jose) who has a rather eye-opening minor league track record.

A 23-round pick for the Mariners in the 2017 draft, Delaplane has a 2.29 ERA over 161 1/3 relief innings in Seattle’s farm system.  He also has an overwhelming 40.91% strikeout rate, whiffing 270 of 660 batters faced over his career.  Between all those missed bats and some solid control (8.2% walk rate), it’s easy to see why San Francisco took a long-term flier on Delaplane to see if he can continue anything close to this form at the MLB level when healthy.

Mariners Place Erik Swanson On Injured List

By | at

Before last night’s game against the Rangers, the Mariners announced they were placing right-hander Erik Swanson on the 10-day injured list due to a right groin strain. Reliever Will Vest was reinstated from the COVID-19 injured list to replace Swanson on the active roster. To create 40-man roster space for Vest’s return, righty Casey Sadler was transferred from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL.

Swanson, who was acquired from the Yankees as part of the 2018 James Paxton deal, has gotten off to a nice start for Seattle this year. He’s pitched in nine games (including two brief starts) and combined for thirteen innings of one-run ball, striking out fourteen while issuing six walks. He won’t continue to strand every baserunner that reaches against him (the only run allowed came on a Joey Gallo homer) or benefit from a .115 opponents’ batting average on balls in play. However, Swanson has generated swings and misses on a strong 13% of his offerings and was once a decently-regarded prospect, so he looks like a solid middle innings option once he returns to health.

Vest went on the COVID IL alongside a few other Seattle relievers on May 21. He’s pitched 21 1/3 innings of 4.22 ERA/4.93 SIERA ball this season. As a Rule 5 draftee, Vest must remain on the Mariners active roster all year if Seattle wishes to keep his contractual rights long-term.

Sadler went on the IL on May 1 with an impingement in his throwing shoulder. Yesterday’s transfer means he can’t return for at least 60 days from the date of his initial IL placement, so he’ll be out through the end of June at a minimum.

Minor MLB Transactions: 5/28/21

By | at

The latest minor moves from around the league:

  • The Phillies announced this afternoon right-hander Ramón Rosso cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Philadelphia designated the 24-year-old for assignment last week. Rosso has pitched in eight games for the Phils over the past two seasons, tossing eleven innings of seven-run ball, striking out eleven while issuing eight walks. He’s worked mostly as a starting pitcher in the minors, performing well up through Double-A but struggling to a 5.59 ERA with mediocre strikeout and walk rates (19.4% and 10.8%, respectively) in 77 1/3 frames at the minors’ highest level. He’ll remain in the organization as a depth option.
  • The Mariners have signed reliever Brian Schlitter to a minor league deal, per the MLB.com transactions tracker. He has been assigned to Triple-A Tacoma, where he’s on the Rainiers active roster. Schlitter broke into the majors with the Cubs in 2010 and saw action in parts of three seasons with Chicago. The righty returned to the big leagues in 2019 with the Athletics, tossing 9 2/3 innings of four-run ball. Schlitter pitched in five games for the A’s Triple-A affiliate this season but was released from his minor league deal with Oakland earlier this week.

Mariners To Activate Marco Gonzales On June 1

By | at

Mariners left-hander Marco Gonzales will make his return from the injured list June 1 with a start against the Athletics, according to manager Scott Servais (via Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times). The Mariners are easing Gonzales back in, as the plan is for him to pitch three to four innings.

Gonzales hasn’t taken the mound since April 27 on account of a forearm strain, but considering the nature of the injury, it’s a relief that he’ll only miss just over a month. The 29-year-old put up a brutal two starts to open his 2021, but he was beginning to round into form before heading to the IL. In his three most recent starts, Gonzales surrendered just five earned runs on 10 hits in 18 innings, and he totaled 15 strikeouts against six walks.

Overall this year, Gonzales has recorded a 5.40 ERA/4.85 SIERA with a 19.0 percent strikeout rate against a 9.1 percent walk rate in 28 1/3 innings. Those aren’t impressive numbers, but the 29-year-old showed he’s a quality starter from 2018-20, especially last season. Gonzales tied the Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks for the lowest walk percentage (2.5) among qualified starters in 2020, helping him to a 3.10 ERA over 69 2/3 frames.

Mariners Select Hector Santiago, Designate Sam Delaplane

By | at

The Mariners announced that they have selected the contract of left-hander Hector Santiago and designated righty Sam Delaplane for assignment. In other moves, the club recalled lefty Daniel Zamora, and it optioned righties Wyatt Mills and Yohan Ramirez.

Santiago, whom the Mariners signed to a minor league contract earlier this season, will now have an opportunity to appear in the majors for a 10th year. The 33-year-old is best known for a productive run with the White Sox and Angels from 2011-15, but his numbers have fallen off since then among a few teams. He most recently pitched in the majors in 2019 between the White Sox and Mets, with whom he combined for a 6.68 ERA/4.89 SIERA in 33 2/3 innings (most of which came in relief). Santiago has thrown 14 frames with the Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate this year and yielded seven earned runs on 10 hits (including five home runs) with an eyebrow-raising 22 strikeouts against five walks.

Delaplane, 26, has been with the Mariners since they chose him in the 23rd round of the 2017 draft. He has since posted impressive minor league production, including a stunning 0.49 ERA with a similarly excellent 43.3 percent strikeout rate against a 6.7 percent walk rate during a 37-inning Double-A debut in 2019. However, with Delaplane having undergone Tommy John surgery in April, Seattle doesn’t believe he’s worth a 40-man roster spot at this point.

West Notes: Belt, Bellinger, Gonzales, Pomeranz, Adell

By | at

The Giants are placing first baseman Brandon Belt on the 10-day injured list with a mild left oblique strain and recalling infielder Jason Vosler, per manager Gabe Kapler (via Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle). Kapler doesn’t expect Belt to miss more than 10 to 14 days, and in the meantime, Darin Ruf will get the lion’s share of playing time at first base. Even a short absence for Belt could be a tough blow for the contending Giants, though, considering he’s off to a .228/.350/.447 start with eight home runs in 137 plate appearances. However, Ruf has also hit well – albeit over a smaller sample of 97 PA – with a .228/.361/.506 line and six long balls.

  • The Dodgers are hopeful that slugger Cody Bellinger will return from the injured list on Saturday, manager Dave Roberts told Juan Toribio of MLB.com and other reporters. Los Angeles has gone nearly the entire season without Bellinger, who suffered a hairline fracture in his left leg and hasn’t played since April 5. Nevertheless, the reigning World Series champions have more than held their own in Bellinger’s absence, having won eight straight to improve to 30-18.
  • Mariners left-hander Marco Gonzales, out since April with a forearm strain, is making progress and could come back during the team’s upcoming homestand (May 27-June 2), per Adam Jude of the Seattle Times. Gonzales was one of the top starters in the league year, but he’s off to a rough beginning this season between the injury and his performance. Before going on the IL, Gonzales recorded a surprisingly poor 5.40 ERA/4.87 SIERA in 28 1/3 innings, and his walk rate skyrocketed compared to 2020. He issued walks just 2.5 percent of the time then, but he’s up to 9.1 now.
  • Padres reliever Drew Pomeranz has suffered a setback in his recovery from a left shoulder impingement, manager Jayce Tingler announced to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com and other reporters. The Padres will shut Pomeranz down from throwing for about a week and then decide how to proceed. Unfortunately, injuries have been a common problem since Pomeranz’s career began in 2011. When healthy, though, he has been a revelation for the Padres since they inked him to a four-year, $34MM contract before 2020. Dating back to then, the 32-year-old has registered a 1.67 ERA with a highly impressive 38 percent strikeout rate in 32 1/3 innings, including 13 2/3 this season.
  • Despite his encouraging start to the season at the Triple-A level, the Angels have not recalled top outfield prospect Jo Adell. That doesn’t look as if it’s going to change imminently, as general manager Perry Minasian said Tuesday (via Bill Shaikin of the LA Times): “He’s making some strides. He’s not there yet.” While the 22-year-old Adell has hit a power-packed .266/.326/.696 with 10 home runs in 86 plate appearances, he has posted a high strikeout rate of 33.7 percent at the same time. Strikeouts have been an issue over the past few years for Adell, including during his major league debut last season. He fanned in 41.7 percent of his 132 PA then and batted a woeful .161/.212/.266.
Show all

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top