The Seattle Mariners are walking into Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels with their bullpen already stretched thin and the schedule offering no easy way to catch a breath.
That reality got sharpened even more after Sunday’s 6-5 loss to the Cleveland Guardians, a rubber match that slipped away when Seattle gave up four runs in the eighth inning. The Mariners had turned to Eduard Bazardo for the final out of the sixth, then handed the eighth to Michael Rucker and Josh Simpson. Rucker was tagged for four runs, and Simpson allowed one.
Manager Dan Wilson’s bullpen choices drew criticism after the loss, but the Mariners don’t have the luxury of a reset. Their first two games against the Angels will be their seventh and eighth straight games, and the timing of the upcoming off-days is awkward at best.
Seattle gets a day off Wednesday before finishing the series Thursday, then plays four more consecutive games before another typical off day on July 6. After that comes a six-game road trip before the All-Star Break.
Wilson said the odd rhythm has shaped how he’s had to map out his pitching plans, especially during the weekend set against Cleveland when Seattle moved away from its piggyback approach in order to give each starter an extra day of rest. Add in the fact that the Mariners are working with one less reliever, and the bullpen math gets even trickier.
“It just depends on day-to-day what you're looking at. But certainly, this is a strange one with the middle of the series off-day. ... It's a factor. but there are numerous factors that we look at, too, as we try to make those decisions.”
For now, Andres Munoz remains the cleanest part of the setup, locked into the ninth inning while the other high-leverage arms can be shuffled around as needed. With Matt Brash and Cooper Criswell injured, that flexibility has also pushed Seattle into using lower-leverage arms in higher-pressure spots.
Wilson said that approach is likely to continue until the Mariners get more relief help back in place and can ease the strain on a rotation that is currently built around six starters.
“I think some of that is something you assess day-to-day,” Wilson said. “Just based on how they're feeling, where they're at.
But at the same time, we will have to make some adjustments. Like we said before, we are one man down in the bullpen.
And I think these guys are willing to do just about anything they need to do to make it work. But at the same time, we have to be smart with guys. ...
It's just a combination. It shifts from day-to-day.”
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Former Teammate Just Raised A Disturbing New Question About Josh Naylor
The June 28 matchup between the Mariners and Guardians already had some edge to it when Josh Naylor and Austin Hedges, former teammates in Cleveland, got into a shouting match on the field. But the scene took on a different tone once former teammate Stone Garrett publicly revived old allegations tied to Naylors time in the Miami Marlins minor league system, adding a jarring off-field layer to a confrontation that had started in the heat of the game.
Those accusations point back to reported events from 2016 and have long carried uncomfortable baggage around Naylors reputation away from the batters box. Garretts comments have now put a fresh spotlight on that history, and with Naylor now a key part of Seattles lineup, the Mariners are left dealing with the broader context as much as the baseball itself. [Read more 🡒]
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Mariners Are Sending A Concerning Message With These Rest Decisions
The Mariners latest lineup shuffle is about more than just keeping bodies fresh. Cal Raleigh and Luke Raley have both been getting rest as Seattle manages minor injuries and general fatigue, with manager Dan Wilson and general manager Justin Hollander each offering updates on where those players stand. Randy Arozarena has also been handled carefully since coming off the injured list, getting time at designated hitter to cut down on the physical wear as the club tries to keep its regulars available through the homestand.
Cole Wilcoxs return from Triple-A Tacoma and Josh Simpsons trip back down were the sort of roster move that can get lost in the shuffle, but it fits the broader picture: Seattle is weighing short-term health against the risk of overextending key contributors. The concern for the Mariners is not just who is out there today, but whether all this maintenance is a sign the team is already managing a roster thats been pushed close to its limit. [Read more 🡒]