Seattle’s Wade LeBlanc throws against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fifth inning of an Aug. 19, 2016 game at Safeco Field. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Seattle’s Wade LeBlanc throws against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fifth inning of an Aug. 19, 2016 game at Safeco Field. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Mariners notebook: LeBlanc brings versatility to bullpen

SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners thought their bullpen matched up with the best in baseball. It was built with depth and quality to close out games: David Phelps, Juan Nicasio and Nick Vincent would turn the game over to Edwin Diaz in the ninth.

That bullpen was pretty locked up. But then Phelps went down with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right arm late in the spring.

Enter left-hander Wade LeBlanc.

Yes, that LeBlanc, who was with the Mariners two seasons ago. The one who was on a minor-league contract with the Yankees just hoping to earn a roster spot.

In a matter of hours last week, LeBlanc went from possible New York minor-leaguer to being cut to being in the Mariners’ clubhouse on a major-league contract. And pitching out of the bullpen.

“Pretty crazy,” LeBlanc said. “I’ve packed my bags and lived out of suitcases a lot in my career. You kind of get used to it, but this is something a little bit different than I’ve done before.

“Until those last 48 hours it was extremely normal,” LeBlanc said. “Just kind of a typical spring training, trying to fine-tune mechanics and release points and that boring stuff.”

He’s not expected to be Phelps. The Mariners hope they have Phelps’ replacement in hard-throwing Dan Altavilla.

But LeBlanc does provide some flexibility, being a former starting pitcher who can throw in a spot-start if needed. The 33-year-old is a lefty but has played like a righty throughout his career because of his reverse splits — in the past three seasons left-handers have hit .270 against him and righties are hitting .236.

“Just to be honest, career-wise it has taken me a long time to figure out how to use my best pitch, which is my changeup, against lefties,” LeBlanc said. “It just took me a long time to figure out the best way to attack lefties. But the last few years I had started to really reverse that trend and figure out a way to attack lefties better.”

He’ll fill a multi-inning, long reliever role alongside right-hander Casey Lawrence, who was a nonroster invitee to spring training before solidifying a spot in the bullpen.

LeBlanc made three starts and eight total appearances when he first arrived in Seattle in 2016 in a trade with the Blue Jays for a player to be named later — which would have been LeBlanc if he had pitched well and the Mariners returned their other starters from injuries, Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto revealed in one of his podcasts.

“That set up the potential of trading Wade LeBlanc for Wade LeBlanc, which would have been awesome,” Dipoto said. “We weren’t quite able to get there, but that would have been awesome.”

Said LeBlanc: “If that’s going to happen, it’s going to happen to me.”

Zunino scratched

Catcher Mike Zunino was originally in the Mariners starting lineup for Opening Day on Thursday, but he was removed late because of stiffness in his side. Mariners officials said that he felt the discomfort on his second-to-last swing during batting practice on Wednesady and they don’t believe it to be significant. They said they hope to have him ready by Saturday’s game following the Mariners’ off day Friday.

Mike Marjama started in Zunino’s place, with Felix Hernandez pitching.

Iwakuma, Ramirez throwing

Mariners manager Scott Servais said that right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma threw a bullpen session Thursday as he returns from right shoulder surgery. The plan is for Iwakuma to throw again this weekend, and same with Erasmo Ramirez, who is recovering from a lat strain.

“Kuma will get another couple more bullpens under his belt, then he’ll probably throw live (batting practice) and then we’ll see where Tacoma is at and working with them,” Servais said before Thursday’s game. “And same with Erasmo, but Erasmo will get ramped up quicker. He’s not coming back from a major injury like Kuma. But both of those guys will get out and start to get their assignments very soon.”

Ramirez isn’t expected to be ready by April 11, when the Mariners need to add a fifth starter. But he could be ready by the next turn in the rotation or one after that.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Cal Raleigh wins 2025 MLB Home Run Derby

Cal Raleigh called his shot years ago. In a childhood video spreading… Continue reading

Portland Fire unveil name, branding as WNBA’s 15th team

A flame is being reignited for Portland’s new WNBA franchise. On Tuesday,… Continue reading

Silvertips forward Shea Busch participates in the Florida Panthers development camp at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 1, 2025. Florida selected Busch in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 28. (Photo courtesy Shea Busch)
Shea Busch experiences whirlwind NHL Draft week

The Florida Panthers selected the Silvertips forward in the fourth round on June 28.

Late Mystics surge dooms Storm as stars struggle

Seattle dropped to 13-9 after shooting 36.2% from the field.

Jorge Polanco (7), right, of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his ninth inning home run with J.P. Crawford (3) while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Detroit. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners sweep Tigers on way to All-Star break

The Detroit Tigers still have the best record in baseball,… Continue reading

Mariners select LSU pitcher with No. 3 pick in MLB draft

College baseball’s best pitcher is coming to the Emerald City. The Seattle… Continue reading

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates winning championship point against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the Gentlemen's Singles Final on day 14 of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in London. (Julian Finney / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Sinner conquers Alcaraz for his first Wimbledon title

The vision of Jannik Sinner covered in sweat and… Continue reading

Rome Odunze scans the field in a scrimmage at his youth football camp at Archbishop Murphy High School on July 10, 2025. The former University of Washington star is entering his second NFL season with the Chicago Bears. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Odunze ‘gives back’ in Everett youth football camp

The former University of Washington star hosts a single-day camp at Archbishop Murphy on Thursday.

The New York Yankees' Aaron Judge, top right, celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off sacrifice fly ball during the 10th inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, July 10, 2025, in New York. (Justin Casterline / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Yankees walk off Mariners on Judge’s sac fly for series sweep

Seattle blows 5-0 lead after Bryan Woo takes no-hitter into eighth inning.

Raleigh says Munoz tipped pitches during Yankees’ comeback

The Yankees had a bead on Seattle Mariners closer Andrés Muñoz. That’s… Continue reading

Midfielder Christian Soto dribbles up field during Snohomish United's 5-1 win against the Tacoma Stars at Stockers Fields on July 9, 2025 (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Snohomish United keeps playoff hopes alive in home finale

With 5-1 win against Tacoma, the USL2 club’s focus on local talent keys success in inaugural season.

AquaSox down Devils for consecutive wins

The AquaSox were on a 2-10 stretch coming into the series.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.