With just under one week remaining until rosters expand, the Mariners will have some questions to answer.
At this point, the Seattle Mariners are just trying to make it to the end of August with a chance at the playoffs.
Thus far, Seattle has survived a terrible August schedule by going 11-11, which has allowed them to move to within 2.5 games of the American League West lead. They are also only three games back of the third and final wild card spot. Fangraphs has their playoff odds right around 45 percent. They are still just 64-69.
The Mariners are also trying to make it to the end of August because they need the roster reinforcements that can come on Sept. 1. On that date, the Mariners will be able to add one position player and one pitcher.
On the pitching front
The Mariners seem destined to bring up right-handed reliever Cooper Criswell, who is currently on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Tacoma.
So far, he's made two rehab appearances with the Rainiers, giving up three earned runs in his first outing, and throwing a scoreless inning in his second (with two strikeouts).
The 30-year-old appeared in 26 games for the Mariners before going down with a shoulder injury, pitching to a 3.52 ERA. His ability to cover multiple innings will be a big relief for a bullpen that has been heavily taxed this season.
He can help cover for Kade Anderson, who probably can't go more than 75-80 pitches at this point, and he can also cover for Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo, who have battled injury issues and poor performance.
Sept. 1 is next Tuesday, so it's probable that Criswell makes at least two more rehab appearances before then, but will he get any multi-inning appearances in?
On the hitting front
Presuming everything goes well on the Brendan Donovan concussion front, the Mariners will be able to bring Donovan back on Saturday against the Blue Jays. That decision will likely force Patrick Wisdom off the roster.
At that point, the Mariners will have a handful of options for the additional position player:
1) They could bring up a third catcher, like they did a year ago.
2) They could bring up Leo Rivas, though that would leave them with Rivas, Brock Rodden and JP Crawford, all as infielders. In this case, Donovan would likely be able to bounce between third base and the outfield.
3) They could bring up Michael Arroyo, which would present the Mariners with the same issues. Donovan would start at third base with Crawford at shortstop and Rodden as the depth infielder. Arroyo could be an additional depth infielder who can also play DH, especially if Taylor Ward continues to struggle.
Seattle Mariners shortstop Michael Arroyo (96) hits a two run home run in the second inning against the San Diego Padres during a Spring Training game at Peoria Sports Complex. Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images4) Lazaro Montes could be an option at this point as well, as could Wisdom, Ryan Bliss or Miles Mastrobuoni.
Bringing up any of Montes, Arroyo or Mastrobuoni would require another move, as none of them are on the 40-man roster right now.
Of note
The latest edition of the 'Refuse to Lose Territory' podcast is out, talking about the historic achievements of Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez, the team's pitching dilemma's and the debut of Kade Anderson. You can listen here, or you can watch in the YouTube player below.
