Seattle Mariners: Who Will Be the #5 Starter?

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Mar 21, 2022

Will the fifth starter be a veteran already on the roster?

The only likely offering would be Justus Sheffield, although he’s not much of a veteran starter. 2020 was a decent season for the lefty as he went 4-3 in 10 starts with a 3.59 ERA. However, the other three seasons, his Major League performance has been rough at best. Most of his troubles are tied to an inability to throw strikes and a massive reduction in fastball speed. Some of which is based on his shift from a 4-seam to a 2-seam fastball.

Another veteran available for the job is Nick Margevicius, who is recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery on his throwing shoulder. Margevicius has been effective as a starter and middle reliever. After he missed most of 2021 due to the shoulder situation, the Seattle Mariners need to see how he performs before giving him a regular turn.

Anthony Misiewicz seems content to remain a middle reliever at this point. However, the M’s could stretch him out, especially if Sheffield or one of the rookies struggle. Erik Swanson came up through the minor leagues as a starter. When he was acquired, Seattle envisioned him as a back-of-the-rotation type starter. But, his effectiveness as a reliever and a spot starter carries more value.

Other than the above three, the Seattle Mariners don’t have any of the other in-house vets to turn to this season.

Next: Page 3 -The Lesser Named Rookies

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