Mariners notes: Rotation about to get an overhaul
Published 1:30 am Sunday, June 18, 2017
ARLINGTON, TEXAS — Christian Bergman wasn’t necessarily pitching Sunday to hold his spot in the Mariners’ rotation. That already seemed a longshot with Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma about to return from the disabled list.
But Bergman might have been pitching to hold his spot on the big-league roster.
The Mariners, barring something unexpected, must clear two spots in their rotation, and the likely casualties are Bergman and rookie Sam Gaviglio, who were each plugged in last month when injuries created openings.
Bergman and Gaviglio each have options, which means they can be sent to the minors and, if desired, brought back at any point.
The other seemingly at-risk candidate is veteran Yovani Gallardo who, based purely on the numbers, might deserve the boot. He is 3-7 with a 6.30 ERA after giving up five runs in five innings Saturday in a 10-4 loss to Texas.
But Gallardo can’t be sent to the minors and has a guaranteed contract. That leaves the Mariners with three choices: trade him, release him (at a cost of roughly $7 million) or demote him to the bullpen as a long reliever.
The bullpen is an unlikely option. Gallardo hasn’t pitched in relief since he was a rookie in 2007 at Milwaukee — and then just three times before he became a fixture in the Brewers’ rotation.
But Bergman and Gaviglio are reasonable options to add stability to the long-relief role. Bergman has been a swingmen throughout his career, and Gaviglio possesses the stuff to negotiate a lineup twice but (maybe) not three times.
Bergman entered Sunday’s series finale against the Rangers at 3-4 with a 5.75 ERA and held the Rangers to two runs over 5 2/3 innings. Gaviglio carries a 3-1 record and a 3.51 ERA into Monday’s series opener against Detroit at Safeco Field.
26 draft picks signed
With their rookie minicamp under way in Arizona, the Mariners confirmed Sunday that 26 of their 40 draft picks are under contract.
The list of signings includes Kentucky first baseman Evan White, the club’s first-round pick. White was the 17th overall pick in last week’s major-league draft. He is scheduled to begin his pro career this week in Everett.
The Mariners have agreements with 11 of their first 12 picks. The only exception is right-hander Sam Carlson of Burnsville (Minnesota) High School, but that was because his team was still competing in the state playoffs.
Scouting director Scott Hunter said the club expects to reach an agreement shortly with Carlson, who is expected to begin his career at Peoria in the Arizona Rookie League.
White agreed to a bonus of $3.125 million, which is slightly lower than the slot value of $3,333,200. He batted .373 this season in 53 games at Kentucky with 24 doubles, 10 home runs and 41 RBI.
The Mariners’ minicamp began Saturday with physical examinations at the club’s year-round complex in Peoria. On-field drills began Sunday and run through Wednesday before players join their affiliated clubs.
Clubs have until July 7 to sign drafted players with remaining college eligibility.
Those who don’t sign but attend a four-year college are ineligible to be drafted again until after their junior year. Those who don’t attend a four-year college can be drafted again next year.
Povse promoted
The carousel never stops in the Mariners’ bullpen and, on Sunday, they opted to go big.
The Mariners promoted 6-foot-8 right-hander Max Povse from Double-A Arkansas prior to their series finale against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park.
“He’s big, and he’s in the house,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said. “We were very impressed with what we saw in spring training.
“His last few outings have been a little shorter, and the thought is he might be that guy that we could use in multiple innings out of the bullpen. His stuff has spiked up in the shorter outings.”
Povse, 23, was 3-2 with a 3.46 ERA in nine games, including eight starts, for the Travelers but recently missed three-plus weeks because of a strained hamstring. He returned June 14 and pitched 31/3 scoreless innings.
Now he’s in the big leagues for the first time.
“It’s what you dream about,” Povse said. “Ever since getting the news (Saturday) night, it’s been a whirlwind. When (Arkansas manager Daren Brown) gave me the news, I think I blacked out, honestly. It was an unbelievable feeling.”
Povse said he has no lingering problems with his hamstring.
The Mariners cleared space for Povse on their 25-man roster by optioning right-hander Rob Whalen to Arkansas. Whalen pitched two scoreless innings Saturday, which makes him unavailable for the next day or two.
To add Povse to the 40-man organizational roster, the Mariners designated Triple-A Tacoma lefty Dillon Overton for assignment. They now have seven days to trade, release or send Overton through waivers.
If Overton, 25, clears waivers, he could be sent to a minor-league club on an outright assignment. He was 1-2 with a 9.33 ERA in seven games at Tacoma, and allowed 15 runs over 181/3 innings in nine big-league appearances.
The Mariners acquired Povse and Whalen from Atlanta in a Nov. 28, 2016 trade for outfielder Alex Jackson and pitcher Tyler Pike.
Povse was a third-round pick by the Braves in 2014 and spent his career as a starting pitcher prior to his recent conversion to bullpen duty.
“It’s a little bit different mindset,” he said, “but once you get out on the mound, it’s still the same game. I did it in spring training a little bit. I’m excited for it. I think its going to be a fun challenge. I’m ready for it.”
Even so, he disputed the suggestion that his velocity increases as a reliever.
“I don’t know,” he said. “I just think I’m back healthy. That that’s what it was. Whenever I’m healthy, I think I have good stuff.”
