Seattle Mariners Make First of Multiple Possible Pitching Moves

Originally posted on Seattle Mariners on SI
By Teren Kowatsch | Last updated Sep 22, 2024 2:13 PM ET

Eric Canha-Imagn Images

The Seattle Mariners entered Sunday with seven games left in the season, 5.0 games behind the Houston Astros for first place in the American League West and 1.5 games behind the Minnesota Twins (1.0 game behind the Detroit Tigers) for the final AL Wild Card spot.

Despite an almost-historic collapse from the Mariners (10 games ahead in the division in June to out of the playoffs), they're still in the thick of the postseason race.

And Seattle made a move to reinforce its bullpen with one week left in the season.

The Seattle Times' Adam Jude tweeted out a report at 9:27 a.m. PT that left-handed reliever Gabe Speier was in the Mariners clubhouse before Game 3 of a series against the Texas Rangers on Sunday. Jude originally reported that Speier was on the taxi squad but could be recalled based on the bullpen's situation.

Gabe Speier has arrived in the Mariners clubhouse. He’s on taxi squad for now, but could be recalled depending on bullpen needs.
— Adam Jude (@A_Jude) September 22, 2024

Speier wasn't on the taxi squad for long. At 10:03 a.m. PT, the Mariners recalled Speier from Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers and optioned fill-in starter Emerson Hancock (who had five-inning outing on Saturday) to Tacoma in a corresponding move.

Mariners roster moves:

Gabe Speier, LHP, recalled from Triple-A Tacoma.
Emerson Hancock, RHP, optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.
— Mariners PR (@MarinersPR) September 22, 2024

According to additional reports from Jude, Speier being brought back up could be just the first in a series of pitching-related roster moves in the coming days for Seattle.

Jude also reported at 9:34 a.m. PT on Sunday that reliever Gregory Santos could be activated off the 15-day injured list in the next "day or two" and has been feeling well in his string of rehab appearances for the Rainiers.

Gregory Santos is also in play for the Mariners in the next day or two, per sources.

Santos has made six appearances for Tacoma over the past couple weeks and is said to be “feeling good” lately after a series of injury issues. https://t.co/kc9CKIsK1r
— Adam Jude (@A_Jude) September 22, 2024

Santos has been on the IL since since Aug. 2 (retroactive to Aug. 1) with right biceps inflammation.

Hancock being optioned down could also indicate that the Mariners are getting ready to activate starting pitcher Luis Castillo off the injured list, as well.

Castillo was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sept. 10 (retroactive to Sept. 9) with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. Hancock was recalled to take Castillo's place in the rotation.

Just what we need. Another big name SP injured in September.#Mariners Luis Castillo left today's game with an apparent ankle injury. Threw a few pitches on it before ultimately leaving pic.twitter.com/woVGLwQLUt
— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) September 8, 2024

Castillo would be eligible to return off the IL for Game 2 of a three-game series against the Houston Astros on Tuesday (Sept. 24).

Seattle had just a 9.9% chance of making the playoffs following their 8-4 win against Texas on Saturday, per FanGraphs (9.2% before its game Sunday).

It looks like it will be all hands on deck as the Mariners look to keep their season going into October.

This article first appeared on Seattle Mariners on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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