of the Mariners came down to the
bullpen and late rallies by the
offense; however, we will look
at the starting rotation.
The starting rotation got off to
rough start losing James Paxton
in his first outing only throwing
like 27 pitches before getting
injured and out for the season.
I am sure we wondered about
his injury history but think this
would happen so fast. The
question will he be back with
the Mariners in 2022.
Nick Margevicius Paxton's
replacement in the rotation
lasted three starts before
going on the injured list
himself never to be seen
again in 2021. What his
role if any in 2022. Then
Ljay Newsome started one
game after seven relief
appearances was done for
the season as well. We
could see him in the back
end of the bullpen in 2022
or in the minors to start
the season.
Later on Justin Dunn and
Justus Sheffield were put
on injured list as well.
Dunn's season ended up
over and Sheffield did
some rehab assignment
in Tacoma before for
going to the Mariners
bullpen for several
games. Not a good sight
for sure. Of course we
can't forget Marco
Gonzales went down
as well, however, had
a good second half of
the season after a rough
start back.
With all that going on
it is amazing to think
the Mariners were able
to have a chance to make
the playoffs until game
162.
The Mariners started the
season with six starters
but had to abandon the
idea because of all those
injuries. They even tried
going with all bullpen
games for a little while
which didn't turn out
well at all.
The Mariners ended up
bringing up rookie Logan
Gilbert to fill one of the
spots. They were going
to do that eventually but
the injuries forced them
to do so. Gilbert actually
started 24 games for the
Mariners. He had some
bright spots and not so
bright ones too. Though
his future looks bright.
Chris Flexen who most
of us never heard of before
the Mariners signed out
of having one season in
Korea in 2020. What we
found out about Flexen
early on he had been with
the New York Mets but
didn't have any success
with them. This year
though he became Mariners
pitcher of the year. He
was the one guy we could
count on every time he
started which was 31 times.
Flexen ended up having
the most wins for the
Mariners with 14 and only
6 losses. We know likely
one pitcher in the rotation
along with Gonzales and
Gilbert.
Yusei Kikuchi had a good
start for the Mariners but
the second half was not a
pretty sight. After being
named to the all-star team
things were down hill from
there. So much so will the
Mariners take the option
or he exercises his option.
Also, Kikuchi wasn't in
the rotation at the end.
The Mariners fighting for
the playoffs in the last ten
days Kikuchi didn't start
or pitch. He has all the
talent in the world but
it is either his arm or his
head not sure which one.
So the question going into
2022 who will fill the last
two spots in the rotation.
Kikuchi could be one of
the spots and the Mariners
could go out and sign a
free agent pitcher at the
top of the rotation.
More to discover during
the off-season and we will
look into more we do have
some time of course. Go
M's.
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