The Mariners have brought back a left-handed, talented pitcher on a new minor league deal, according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post. Pomeranz initially signed a minor league contract with Seattle in the offseason but didn’t make the Opening Day roster, leading to his request for release. After exploring his options, he has now rejoined the team.
The pitcher is 36 and has been working his way back from a long injury layoff, having last pitched in the majors in 2021. He put up a solid performance in spring training, throwing 7 2/3 innings in the Cactus League with four earned runs allowed, four walks, and ten strikeouts.
Earlier in his career, Drew Pomeranz was among the league’s stronger relievers. After being traded from the Giants to the Brewers in 2019 and transitioning to a bullpen role, he posted a 2.39 ERA over 26 1/3 innings with an impressive 45% strikeout rate, 8% walk rate, and a 46.8% ground ball rate.
That performance earned him a four-year, $34 million contract with the Padres, and he delivered strong results in 2020 and 2021, logging 44 1/3 innings with a 1.62 ERA, 33.7% strikeout rate, 11.4% walk rate, and 45.8% ground ball rate. However, his career was derailed by injuries, including flexor tendon surgery in 2021. He struggled to regain full health and has pitched fewer than ten innings in each of the past three minor league seasons.
For Seattle, signing Pomeranz provides low-risk bullpen depth. Their current left-handed relievers, Tayler Saucedo and Gabe Speier, have career ERAs of 4.00 and 4.18, respectively. While it may be a long shot for Pomeranz to return to his peak form, the Mariners could benefit from his experience over the course of a long season, particularly if injuries arise.
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