One week after being designated for assignment, clearing waivers, and opting for free agency, the right-handed pitcher is back with the Seattle Mariners. The team has reportedly re-signed the veteran pitcher and is recalling him ahead of their road series against the Toronto Blue Jays. In a corresponding roster move, the Mariners have optioned young right-hander Troy Taylor, who had only recently rejoined the team after missing a significant portion of spring training due to injury.
His return comes as the Mariners prepare for a three-game set north of the border, and the timing suggests the club is prioritizing bullpen depth as they face a potent Blue Jays lineup. While not overpowering, he gave the Mariners a much-needed three innings of work in a recent outing against the Houston Astros. In that game, he entered in relief of Luis Castillo, who exited after just four innings. Despite not recording a single strikeout, he helped save the bullpen in what turned out to be a thrilling comeback victory for Seattle, powered by late-game heroics from Randy Arozarena and Julio Rodríguez.
His overall MLB track record, however, remains modest. Over 127.0 innings in the majors, he owns a 6.73 ERA and a 5.52 FIP. Known more for inducing contact than overpowering hitters, he provides innings-eating potential rather than high-leverage dominance. Still, his reliability in lower-pressure situations has value—especially in a bullpen taxed by a recent extra-inning affair.
The demotion of Troy Taylor is somewhat surprising, given how highly the Mariners spoke of his return. Taylor was a key bullpen contributor in the second half of the 2024 season, showing flashes of dominance. But in his lone appearance since rejoining the club, he struggled on the mound, even though his velocity remained in line with his past performances. That suggests the decision was less about long-term confidence and more about immediate roster needs.
Seattle’s bullpen was stretched thin during Thursday’s extra-inning matchup, and Taylor was the only reliever not used. It’s possible the Mariners weren’t yet ready to rely on him for multiple innings, especially in a high-leverage series like the one coming up in Toronto. With right-hander Bryan Woo set to start and showing promise this year, Seattle appears to be hedging their bets—opting for a long reliever in Casey Lawrence to provide some coverage if the bullpen is called on early again.
While this move may be temporary, it highlights the tightrope that managers and front offices walk early in the season—balancing upside, durability, and long-term development with the short-term need to stay competitive in every series.
Leave a Reply