The Mariners announced they’ve signed right-hander Matt Andriese to a major league contract. Robert Dugger has been designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
Andriese signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox over the offseason. He’d spent the entire season as a multi-inning relief option in Boston, tossing 37 1/3 frames over 26 appearances. Andriese started the season well, pitching to a 1.42 ERA with an impressive 11:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 12 2/3 April innings. Things went south pretty shortly after the calendar flipped to May, though, and Andrise allowed at least one run in seven of his eight appearances leading up to an injured list placement on July 10.
After missing more than six weeks with right hamstring tendinitis, Andriese is seemingly near or ready for a return. He made three rehab appearances with the Sox’s top affiliate in Worcester between August 8 and 14 but was designated for assignment on Tuesday. Boston released him thereafter, but he’s found a new home in relatively short order.
Overall, Andriese pitched to a 6.03 ERA with the Red Sox. His 21.5% strikeout rate is a few points below the league average (24.3%) for relievers, as is his 8.8% swinging strike rate (11.7% league average). Andriese is a better strike-thrower than most bullpen arms, though, and he’s walked just 6.2% of opponents this season. His numbers in Boston were marred by opponents’ .407 batting average on balls in play, and the Mariners will see if more batted balls finding defenders’ gloves can allow Andriese to yet settle in as a decent long relief option for manager Scott Servais.
Dugger will find himself on waivers in the coming days. The right-hander began his career as a Mariners draftee but was shipped to the Marlins in the 2017 Dee Strange-Gordon deal. He reached the big leagues with Miami in 2019 and spent the following season there before Seattle claimed him off waivers this past offseason. The Mariners passed him through outright waivers not long after but re-selected him to the roster in April.
Over the past three years, Dugger has worked 70 2/3 innings of 7.39 ERA ball at the big league level. He’s only punched out 14.4% of opposing hitters in the majors and has been tagged for a 7.30 ERA this year with Triple-A Tacoma. Needless to say, he’s had a rough go of things in 2021, but Dugger posted fantastic numbers up through Double-A and appeared at the back half of Miami’s top 30 prospects lists at Baseball America between 2018-20. Because he’s already been outrighted in his career, Dugger would have the right to elect free agency if he again clears waivers.
Dugger is probably appreciative for all the service time he racked up this time!
I’m sure Mariners fans will love #35
Will never forget Andriese’s next-to-last appearance in a Red Sox uniform.
Against a very good Oakland team, Cora burned through 4 of his best relievers by pulling them after only 12-14 pitches each. Instead of bringing in Barnes to protect a 2-run 12th inning lead, Cora brings in Andriese with his 5.70 ERA.
The result was inevitable … first 4 Batters: Single, Single, Double, Sac Fly, Game Over
Horrific bullpen management by Cora.
In the first half, I thought Cora made virtually no BP mistakes, almost like he knew what was going to happen. But in the past month, I thought he made a few moves that looked like they were made before the game even started. Pulling Pivetta with a 1-0, with a one-hitter, at only 75 PC, in the first game of a DH, made no sense to me. I’m a data guy, but sometimes you have to flip the script.
Dumpsta
Oh man, good lucck M’s fan!
Maybe Andriese will do better in the far-less pressure, pitcher friendly confines of T-Mobile Park and Seattle
Considering his numbers nosedived immediately after the sticky stuff ban, and he was accused of doctoring baseballs while with the Angels, I’d say the odds of him doing much better are slim.
So happy Duggar is gone. The guy had no business pitching in a major league game in the first place. But we all know Servais and his inability to use a rotation or a bullpen correctly. I’d honestly be happy he was canned, specifically for that reason alone.
Servais is candidate for manager of year. Mariners have had great bullpen production. Starting rotation took some hits with injury but been improving . Gilbert taken big leaps, Anderson pick up has been great. Marcos been real good since coming back. So I’m not seeing where we come to your conclusion of being poor with pitching let alone fired??? He will get manager of year votes.