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CHICAGO — With Kyle Seager expected to return to the starting lineup on Saturday and the Mariners in desperate need of bullpen arms, the team is expected to announce at least two possible roster move, if not three.
Following Seattle’s 3-1 win on Friday night, outfielder Nori Aoki and infielder Mike Freeman were both optioned to Class AAA Tacoma.
Recalled from Tacoma up on Thursday, Freeman was expected to only be with Seattle for a handful of days until Seager was ready to come back from a foot bruise. Seattle need the extra infielder in case of an injury.
The Aoki move might seem somewhat surprising at first glance, considering how well he had been hitting since previous stint in Tacoma. After being recalled on July 20, Aoki was hitting .316 (31-for-98) with a .362 on-base percentage, nine doubles, a triple, five RBI and 11 runs scored. But much of that recent success had come against right-handed pitching. Seattle had limited his appearances against left-handed pitchers. Over the next 10 days, Seattle will face at least six left-handed starting pitchers. Aoki’s playing time would have been non-existent.
The Mariners are expected to call up a pair of relievers to take their place on the roster. Right-hander Dan Altavilla from Class AA Jackson and switch-pitcher Pat Venditte from Tacoma will arrive in Chicago on Saturday. Altavilla is a bit of a surprise since he’s wasn’t on the 40-man roster. But the Mariners have an open spot after Wade LeBlanc was designated for assignment. Like Edwin Diaz, Altavilla was converted from a starter to a reliever this season. He’s got a fastball that sits mid 90s with a slider. In 43 appearances, Altavilla is 7-3 with a 1.91 ERA and 16 saves. In 56 2/3 innings pitched, he’s struck out 65 batters and walked 22.
Venditte made headlines last season as the first ambidextrous switch-pitcher to appear in the big leagues. Seattle acquired him in a trade from the Blue Jays in August. The plan is to use Venditte in situations where he will face mostly left-handed hitters. He’s made five appearances with the Rainiers, pitching 8 1/3 innings, allowing one run on seven hits with seven strikeouts.
The other possible roster move would be to place Tom Wilhelmsen on the 15-day disabled list. He’s been bothered by back issues the past few days, forcing him to be shutdown for three games. Wilhelmsen pitched a 1-2-3 inning on Friday after the days off, but the back was an issue again on Saturday.
If Wilhelmsen goes on the DL, the Mariners would bring back first baseman Dae-Ho Lee to play first base vs. the stretch of left-handed starting pitching. Lee has been hitting well since being sent down to Tacoma last week. In six games, Lee is hitting .500 (12-for-24) with three doubles, two homers and six RBI.
Because Wilhelmsen would be placed on the disabled list, Lee could rejoin the Mariners without having to serve the 10-day minimum on a demotion to the minor leagues.
Following Seattle’s 3-1 win on Friday night, outfielder Nori Aoki and infielder Mike Freeman were both optioned to Class AAA Tacoma.
Recalled from Tacoma up on Thursday, Freeman was expected to only be with Seattle for a handful of days until Seager was ready to come back from a foot bruise. Seattle need the extra infielder in case of an injury.
The Aoki move might seem somewhat surprising at first glance, considering how well he had been hitting since previous stint in Tacoma. After being recalled on July 20, Aoki was hitting .316 (31-for-98) with a .362 on-base percentage, nine doubles, a triple, five RBI and 11 runs scored. But much of that recent success had come against right-handed pitching. Seattle had limited his appearances against left-handed pitchers. Over the next 10 days, Seattle will face at least six left-handed starting pitchers. Aoki’s playing time would have been non-existent.
The Mariners are expected to call up a pair of relievers to take their place on the roster. Right-hander Dan Altavilla from Class AA Jackson and switch-pitcher Pat Venditte from Tacoma will arrive in Chicago on Saturday. Altavilla is a bit of a surprise since he’s wasn’t on the 40-man roster. But the Mariners have an open spot after Wade LeBlanc was designated for assignment. Like Edwin Diaz, Altavilla was converted from a starter to a reliever this season. He’s got a fastball that sits mid 90s with a slider. In 43 appearances, Altavilla is 7-3 with a 1.91 ERA and 16 saves. In 56 2/3 innings pitched, he’s struck out 65 batters and walked 22.
Venditte made headlines last season as the first ambidextrous switch-pitcher to appear in the big leagues. Seattle acquired him in a trade from the Blue Jays in August. The plan is to use Venditte in situations where he will face mostly left-handed hitters. He’s made five appearances with the Rainiers, pitching 8 1/3 innings, allowing one run on seven hits with seven strikeouts.
The other possible roster move would be to place Tom Wilhelmsen on the 15-day disabled list. He’s been bothered by back issues the past few days, forcing him to be shutdown for three games. Wilhelmsen pitched a 1-2-3 inning on Friday after the days off, but the back was an issue again on Saturday.
If Wilhelmsen goes on the DL, the Mariners would bring back first baseman Dae-Ho Lee to play first base vs. the stretch of left-handed starting pitching. Lee has been hitting well since being sent down to Tacoma last week. In six games, Lee is hitting .500 (12-for-24) with three doubles, two homers and six RBI.
Because Wilhelmsen would be placed on the disabled list, Lee could rejoin the Mariners without having to serve the 10-day minimum on a demotion to the minor leagues.
