Seattle Mariners have several new faces after roster shuffle
Since Monday’s trade deadline, the Seattle Mariners have been busy shuffling their roster.
The Seattle Mariners won their final two games against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim by identical 2-1 scores to split the four-game series. Since then, Seattle made several roster changes, mostly due to trades made at Monday’s deadline. Their home series against Oakland, scheduled to take place September 1-3, was postponed when at least one Athletics player tested positive for COVID-19. Two of the three games against Oakland will be made up as a double-header in Seattle on September 14, while the third game will be part of another double-header in Oakland on September 26, the day before the end of the regular season.
Seattle Mariners General Manager Jerry Dipoto was busy with some roster changes, the past few days. Dipoto made a multi-player trade late Sunday, sending catcher Austin Nola to San Diego as the centerpiece, to add more future stars to the system. Going into the deadline, Seattle was the youngest team in major league baseball. After Monday, they are much younger. The youngest player they traded away was 27. Of the new players on the roster, Infielder Ty France is the oldest at 26.
New Faces
The M’s activated France to the 28-man roster. He might be in manager Scott Servais’ lineup on Friday. the former San Diego State University star will see action as a designated hitter as well as backing up at third, second, and first base. Another player acquired in the Nola trade, Luis Torrens, also joined the active roster. Torrens will share the catcher’s job with Joe Odom for now. Outfielder
Taylor Trammell, the top outfield prospect acquired in the same trade, received an “invitation” to spring training as a non-roster player. He’s on his way to Tacoma. Right-handed pitcher Andres Munoz is currently on the injured list recovering from Tommy John surgery to repair a torn ligament in his throwing elbow. He’ll compete for a spot in the Seattle Mariners bullpen next spring.
On September 1, Kendall Graveman returned to the M’s active roster. Graveman, signed as a free agent during the off-season, made two starts before going on the injured list with neck spasms. According to Dipoto, Graveman will pitch out of the bullpen upon his return to action.
Off the scrap pile
Seattle added Seth Frankoff, a right-handed reliever from the alternate training site, to bolster the bullpen. Frankoff was in the Mariners system back in 2017. He spent the last two years pitching in South Korea. At the beginning of spring training, Frankoff signed with San Diego. After he didn’t make the team, Frankoff opted for free agency instead of going to the minors. Seattle signed him on August 10.
Additionally, the M’s acquired Walker Lockett off waivers from the New York Mets. His roster status is unknown, but after trading three relievers, there are openings. To make room for the additions, outfielder Braden Bishop, catcher Joe Hudson, pitcher Zac Grotz, and infielder Donovan Walton were sent to the Tacoma Alternate Site.
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The Seattle Mariners next series takes place in Arlington, Texas, against the Rangers beginning September 4.