SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners early string of injuries seem to finally be taking a turn for the better.

On the same day as left-handed reliever Gabe Speier is set to begin a rehab assignment with the High-A Everett AquaSox, the Mariners activated right-handed reliever Matt Brash off the 15-day injured list ahead of game three of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox at T-Mobile Park.

Brash was placed on the 15-day injured list May 1 (retroactive to April 30) due to right lat inflammation.

Left-handed reliever Robinson Ortiz was optioned down in a corresponding move. Ortiz was recalled from the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers on May 18. He didn't make an appearance for the M's and is still waiting to make his first career major league outing.

Brash and Speier's respective injuries left the M's with three of their five designated high-leverage arms from Opening Day for most of May: left-hander Jose A. Ferrer and right-hander Eduard Bazardo and righty closer Andres Munoz.

The 28-year-old began a rehab assignment with the Rainiers. On his assignment, Brash struck out four batters, walked two and didn't surrender a hit or a run in 1.2 innings pitched across two appearances.

"Obviously great to get Matty back," Seattle manager Dan Wilson said in a pregame interview Wednesday. "Big part of that back-end bullpen. Someone who's thrown a lot of high-leverage innings. It's really good to get him back. Gives us a lift down there in the bullpen, gives us the experience late. Looking forward to getting him back and getting him into the flow again as we had before. Gabe will certainly be right behind him, as well."

Before landing on the shelf, Brash had a perfect 0.00 ERA. He's allowed just one unearned run this season and has fanned eight hitters in 11.1 innings pitched across 14 appearances. He's allowed just three hits and surrendered four free bases (one hit-by-pitch, one intentional walk, two walks).

Having Brash back in the fold can also take some of the pressure off the Mariners' continuously-healthy high-leverage arms, Ferrer and Brash.

Ferrer leads Seattle with 24 appearances on the season. He has a 1.59 ERA and has struck out 19 hitters in 22.2 innings pitched.

Bazardo is right behind Ferrer with 23 outings, respectively. He has a 2.57 ERA and has put away 18 hitters in 21 innings pitched.

The series finale between the Mariners and White Sox will begin at 1:10 p.m. PT.

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