Logan Evans, who's been on the shelf with right elbow inflammation, returned to the team just in time for the playoffs
SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners got a boost to their bullpen for the final regular season games of the year, and potentially the playoffs, Saturday.
Ahead of Game 2 against the Los Angeles Dodgers at T-Mobile Park, the Mariners activated right-handed pitcher Logan Evans off the 15-day injured list and optioned right-handed reliever Casey Legumina to the Arizona Complex League in a corresponding move. Legumina's option had a postgame designation for Friday (Sept. 26).
Evans has been on the shelf with right elbow inflammation since Aug. 15.
Evans made his major league debut April 27 against the Miami Marlins. He was called up a day after Logan Gilbert was placed on the injured list with a flexor strain.
Evans made 15 starts this year amid a string of various injuries to the club's starting rotation. He posted a 4.37 ERA with 58 strikeouts in 78.1 innings pitched.
Evans posted two quality starts across his 15 outings, which included an eight-inning, four-strikeout performance against the Washington Nationals on May 27.
Despite Evans' stellar first impression as a starting pitcher, he'll be used as a reliever for the team's final two games of the regular season.
"I think (he'll) definitely add to our bullpen," Seattle manager Dan Wilson said in a pregame interview Saturday. "As we talked about with our starters, maybe being a little bit more conservative, so giving us a little length, as well."
The Mariners are locked into the No. 2 seed in the American League. They have nothing else to play for in the final two games against the Dodgers aside from pride and momentum. Wilson has said the team will be conservative with Saturday and Sunday's starting pitchers, Gilbert and Bryce Miller, and will work in rest for key position players.
Having Evans available as a reliever allows Seattle flexibility to pull Gilbert and Miller early while still getting length and avoiding going deep into the bullpen.
Evans will be able to pitch in the playoffs due to being on the injured list before the cut-off date for postseason eligibility (Aug. 31).
The Mariners have several candidates for the playoff roster, including reliever Gregory Santos, infielder Ben Williamson, utility players Samad Taylor and Miles Mastrobuoni and others.
Seattle will have until the three-and-a-half hours before Game 1 of the American League Divisional Series on Oct. 4 to submit its playoff roster.
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