The Seattle Mariners have one of their key high-leverage arms back in time for the final two games of a big series in Sacramento.
Seattle Mariners slug past A’s 9-2 to open big series
Left-handed reliever Gabe Speier has been activated from the 15-day injured list, the team announced late Tuesday morning. To make room on the 26-man active roster, rookie right-hander Nick Davila has been optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.
Speier, 31, landed on the IL on May 4 with left shoulder inflammation. Prior to the injury, he had 2.92 ERA and 1.54 WHIP over 12 1/3 innings in 15 outings this season.
Last season, Speier was a standout reliever for the Mariners, posting a 2.31 ERA and 0.87 WHIP over 76 appearances and 62 innings in the regular season. Speier struck out 33.7% of the batters he faced while walking just 4.5%, helping earn him a spot on the United States team in the World Baseball Classic this spring.
Notably, Speier’s walk rate had nearly doubled to 8.9% and his strikeout rate was down to 21.4% this season prior to going on the IL.
Speier made a pair of rehab outings last week, allowing three earned runs on three hits and no walks with two strikeouts in an inning of work last Wednesday for High-A Everett, then throwing a perfect inning with two strikeouts on Saturday for Triple-A Tacoma.
The Mariners also activated key right-hander Matt Brash from the injured list last week. Seattle’s pitching staff is now nearly at full strength, with reliever Carlos Vargas the only notable pitcher from last season currently on the IL.
Seattle called the 27-year-old Davila up from Double-A Arkansas on May 2 to make his MLB debut. He made seven appearances for the Mariners, putting up a spotless 0.00 ERA with four strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings. He allowed three hits and six walks for a 1.23 WHIP.
Speier and the M’s play Game 2 of their three-game set on the road against the AL West-leading Athletics at 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, with Mariners Radio Network coverage on Seattle Sports beginning at 5:30 with the pregame show. The Mariners (26-29) are 1 1/2 games back of the A’s (27-27) entering Tuesday.
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