EVERETT — Things have changed a bit from the last time Dan Altavilla was in Everett.
At the time of Altavilla’s last appearance with the AquaSox, during his first professional season in 2014 as a 21-year-old, the ballpark was still referred to as Everett Memorial Stadium, the field was still grass and Altavilla was still a starting pitcher.
It was still a welcome return for Altavilla in his first rehab assignment since being put on the 10-day disabled list in early July, as the Mariners reliever pitched a clean inning in the fifth, striking out a pair.
“It’s always nice to come back and see some familiar faces and the fans are always great here,” Altavilla said. “…I felt really good. It was a good first step into getting back into playing again. The rehab process was a bit longer than I thought it would be, so it was nice to get out and get my feet wet again.”
The right-hander threw 15 pitches total and nine for strikes. Altavilla sat at around 93-to-95 mph for the majority of the outing with his fastball and touched 97 mph.
The next step for his rehab process will be with Triple-A Tacoma, Altavilla said. The Rainiers return home on Thursday for a four-game series with Fresno.
Altavilla, 26, has made seven appearances with the Mariners this season and struggled mightily with a 9.53 ERA.
The Mercyhurst University product has mostly bounced up and down from the majors, Triple-A Tacoma and Double-A Arkansas before being placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right forearm strain.
Altavilla began his professional career with the Sox in 2014, compiling a 4.36 ERA in 14 starts.
No confirmation on Felix’s second rehab start in Everett
Greg Johns of MLB.com reported on Sunday that rehabbing Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez would make a second rehab appearance with the AquaSox this upcoming week, but Everett general manager Danny Tetzlaff said he had not received any confirmation from the Mariners on Hernandez’s arrival.
The former American League Cy Young winner tossed two scoreless innings and struck out four in his first rehab start with the AquaSox on Aug. 2 and allowed a run on three hits while fanning three in a start with High-A Modesto on Aug. 8.
Hernandez was placed on the disabled list on May 11 with shoulder soreness.
Mircale League comes to Funko Field
The Miracle Baseball League, an organization that provides opportunities for developmentally and mentally challenged kids to play baseball, took to Funko Field after the Everett’s 10-1 loss to Hillsboro on Sunday, with the AquaSox players and coaching staff helping out. Players from Miracle Leagues all across Snohomish County took part.
Transactions
—AquaSox outfielder DeAires Moses was promoted to Low-A West Virginia on Sunday. Moses was in the Power’s lineup and was thrown out at home attempting to stretch a triple into a inside-the-park home run for his first hit in the South Atlantic League.
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