Seattle Mariners Make Very Surprising Roster Move Before Series Opener with Blue Jays

So, a few things here.

1) Lawrence is a starter at heart, meaning he has the ability to throw multiple innings. This move makes sense in that regard, because the bullpen has been taxed the last several games. The M's starters went 4.1, 5 and 5 innings over the last three games, meaning the bullpen has worked a lot. Lawrence can help alleviate the stress there.

2) This move is surprising because Taylor's presence was supposed to help the bullpen get better as well. A hard-throwing 23-year-old, he made his major league debut last season, pitching to a 3.72 ERA in 19 games. He struck out 25 batters in 19.1 innings and is seen as a high-leverage arm. However, he struggled on a rehab assignment with Tacoma and just made his season debut on Wednesday (injury), giving up three runs without recording an out.

Perhaps the Mariners think he can get more confidence and find his groove back on the farm, but the M's will be without a powerful arm for the next 15 days, as pitchers can't be recalled (barring injury). This means that Gregory Santos, and Taylor, two guys that the M's are counting on in the bullpen, are both in the minors.

The M's will take on the Blue Jays on Friday at 4:07 p.m. PT.