Changes Keep On For Mariners

The Seattle Mariners on Wednesday took two out of three against the Oakland A’s in Seattle the last three days and now look forward to taking on the Chicago White Sox in a four-game series before going back on the road.

On Tuesday the Mariners had a rough outing with the bullpen going into the ninth inning with a one run lead however they ended up losing.  Edwin Diaz who was the closer is now being used more likely in the middle innings while he gets his mechanics fixed. In the meantime the Mariners are using a bullpen by committee to close out games.

On Wednesday Christian Bergman had a wonderful game pitching a shutout over seven and one-thirds innings giving up only two hits. At this point it looks like he is one guy who will stay in the rotation until some of the original guys return. Of course this will be determined on how he continues to pitch. The only sure starters are Ariel Maranda and Yovani Gallardo is the only original starter going into the season.

On Wednesday the Mariners sent Chase De Jong down to Tacoma.  He isn’t needed to be used for a little while since the Mariners do have an off-day on Monday before going to Washington D.C. to take on the Nationals. Also James Paxton did some throwing on the sidelines and may be sent on a rehab assignment shortly. Other good news Drew Smyly started throwing a little as well however he won’t be back until sometime in June. Likely he will go on a rehab assignment too.

Outfielder Mitch Haniger may be back with the team on the next road trip himself. The Mariners likely will go with the hottest hitters with Haniger, Ben Gamel, Jarrod Dyson and Guillermo Heredia. Both Gamel and Heredia will continue getting good playing time since they both have been play well during the time Haniger has been out. Dyson who has struggled some at the plate likely will be the one who won’t play as much especially against lefties. All four are good defensive players so the defense will not suffer whoever is playing.

At this point Robinson Cano who has been on the disabled list should return on the road trip if not sometime in the series against the White Sox.

What we hope for over this series against the White Sox that not only that the Mariners can at least split the series everyone will stay healthy as well. The Mariners don’t need anyone else to go down that is for sure. Go M’s.