Seattle Mariners bullpen in the middle of an overhaul
Out the easy way
Last week, the M’s activated Matt Magill, Carl Edwards Jr., and Nestor Cortes Jr. from their injured list and sent the relievers outright to AAA. The trio refused assignment and, as mandated by the MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement, are free agents.
It’s a big fall for Magill and Edwards. They were supposed to be a big part of the relief staff last year. Magill finished 2019 as the team’s closer. Many expected him to reclaim the role for 2020. It wasn’t in the cards for him. He lost the job to Taylor Williams in summer camp.
From July 26 to August 15, The 30-year-old made eight appearances giving up two hits, four walks, and no earned runs in eight innings pitched. Then the roof collapsed. He gave up seven earned runs in his next three appearances. The M’s placed Magill on the injured list with a shoulder strain on August 30, and he underwent surgery in mid-September to repair the damage.
Edwards was a bit of a risk coming off a shaky 2019 when the Mariners signed him last winter. He pitched well, yielding just one run in five appearances. Unfortunately, his season ended August 7 with a right forearm injury.
Bryan Shaw, Jimmy Yacabonis, and Brady Lail, part of the cast-off crew, also declined assignment and became free agents. No one in the Emerald City will miss them.
Rougned Odor homers (17) on a line drive to center off Matt Magill
Exit Velocity 108 MPH
Distance 406 FT
Launch Angle 21.14#TogetherWe vs #TrueToTheBlue pic.twitter.com/LQJhU1J7bB— Strand Sport Stats (@StrandStats) July 24, 2019