The Mariners craft a move to ensure Marco Gonzales gets to bat in Colorado (maybe)
As expected, the Mariners made a move prior to opening their mid-week series with the once-Wild Card competitor Los Angeles Angels; however, there were a few more moving parts than expected.
#Mariners recall INF Gordon Beckham and RHP Nick Rumbelow from AAA Tacoma. Seattle has placed RHP Félix Hernández on the 10-day DL and optioned OF John Andreoli to Tacoma.
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— MarinersPR (@MarinersPR) July 10, 2018
While optioning Andreoli in order to carry an eighth reliever—as the team as done basically all season—was expected, The King’s placement on the 10-day disabled list and subsequent promotion of INF Gordon Beckham comes as a bit of a surprise. In all likelihood, the M’s just want to get Felix some extra rest prior to the all-star break with him having already logged 105.1 innings on the season. The Mariners have a few options to make Felix’s scheduled start on Thursday, including moving James Paxton up, as that would be his normally scheduled day to throw anyways on the heels of yesterday’s off day. Note: throwing Friday would also put Paxton on normal rest for the All-Star Game, should he be named an alternate. The club could also opt to use either LHP Roenis Elías, who is already with the club, or recall a starter from Tacoma, likely either RHP Christian Bergman or RHP Casey Lawerence, who would be on normal rest for a Thursday start and has been pitching well lately.
The decision to carry Beckham with backup utility infielder Andrew Romine already on the roster is a slight head-scratcher, but with C Chris Hermann’s ability to play the outfield, Beckham gives the team another option to man the infield. Beckham has impressed since being optioned to Tacoma at the end of May, posting a 141 wRC+ through 121 at-bats while rotating between short, second, and first base.
Andreoli went 0-2 with two strikeouts in his lone appearance during his most recent stint with the Mariners.