Mariners Make A Flurry of Roster Moves Due to Injuries
The Mariners have activated both C Mike Zunino and RHP Erasmo Ramirez from the disabled list, and called up LHP Ariel Miranda from AAA Tacoma. These moves were made necessary as RHPs Felix Hernandez and Mike Leake both have been placed on the 10-day DL due to a dead arm (Felix) and a shoulder strain (Leake). C Mike Marjama has also been optioned to AAA Tacoma to accommodate for Zunino’s return.
Hernandez (4.43 ERA) and Leake (3.31 ERA) have both been great for the Mariners this season, and their injuries put them in a unfortunate position, as they’re dealing with a rotation of Paxton/Gonzales/Ramirez/Miranda/LeBlanc, which is less than their ideal situation this early into a season. Felix should only miss the 10 days and might make a start or two in Tacoma to regain some arm strength, but Leake is likely out until late May and we’ll likely not see him again until June.
Erasmo Ramirez will finally join the Mariners after missing the first month of the season and making three rehab starts in Tacoma. Ariel Miranda started the year in Tacoma and has been excellent, giving up just 6 ER in 3 starts, as well as striking out 20 compared to only 7 walks. Since Felix is only going to miss two starts, it gives Miranda, Ramirez, and LeBlanc each a chance to show they belong at the major league level and stay in the rotation. Casey Lawrence also has to prove he can be a valuable innings eater as he’s struggled of late, and the Mariners could very well send him to Tacoma, transition one of the three aforementioned starters into his long relief role, and put Felix back in the rotation that way.
Zunino, who is finally coming back from his injury he suffered at the end of spring training, hit 4 HRs in 12 games in Tacoma and should transition back into his starting catcher role. Mike Marjama hit .220 in his absence and while backup catcher David Freitas has hit worse (.136), he’s gotten on base at a much higher clip and drew 4 walks in limited playing time, while Marjama has failed to draw a walk mostly playing every day. Freitas is also a much better catcher defensively, and handles the Mariners pitching staff better.
