The M’s opt for length over heat.
A week after being designated for assignment, clearing waivers and electing free agency, the Seattle Mariners have apparently re-signed RHP Casey Lawrence, and are recalling him today to cross the border into Canada as Seattle prepares for three games against the Toronto Blue Jays. In a corresponding move, the M’s demoted young RHP Troy Taylor, who had just re-joined the club in Cincinnati after missing much of the spring with an injury. Taylor struggled mightily in his lone appearance, though his velocity appeared in line with prior norms, making this quick hook surprising.
Lawrence valiantly worked through three innings against Houston, eating innings after Luis F. Castillo labored through four frames, in a game that Seattle eventually came back to win in extraordinary fashion thanks to heroics by Randy Arozarena and Julio Rodríguez. However, he failed to record a strikeout in the game, a common theme for the contact manager who has run a 6.73/5.52 ERA/FIP now in 127.0 IP as a big leaguer.
Seattle made a big deal of Taylor’s return, understandable given his effectiveness in the back half of 2024. This move in some ways is likely due to the extra innings affair on Thursday afternoon, which forced Seattle to use their entire bullpen save for Taylor, who they may not feel comfortable working longer innings. While Bryan Woo has been stellar to start the year, against a strong Blue Jays lineup Seattle appears to be sacrificing some upside for the ability to cushion multiple innings while their main pen rests.