TORONTO — The trade Wednesday that sent Mike Montgomery to the Chicago Cubs for first baseman Dan Vogelbach means the Seattle Mariners now need a starting pitcher for Sunday’s series finale against the Blue Jays. Montgomery had been the announced starter for that game.
Looking ahead, the Mariners will also need a fourth starter for their July 30 game against the Cubs in Chicago before returning to a five-man rotation in early August. Club officials expect Taijuan Walker to be ready at that point.
The likely candidates for Sunday and July 30 are left-handers Wade Miley and Wade LeBlanc, each of whom delivered quality starts in the just-completed series against the White Sox.
Manager Scott Servais hasn’t yet identified a choice, although he appears to be leaning toward Miley. That would likely shift LeBlanc into a long-relief role.
If Servais chooses LeBlanc, they could put Miley in the bullpen or option him to Tacoma to allow him to remain stretched out as a starter. LeBlanc is out of options and can’t be sent to the minors without clearing waivers.
Peterson’s status
While it’s hard to see how left-handed hitting first basemen Adam Lind and Dan Vogelbach fit on the same roster, Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said he envisions no difficulty in a blend between Vogelbach and D.J. Peterson at Tacoma — or perhaps in the future in the big leagues.
Peterson, 24, is enjoying a strong bounce-back year after a disappointing 2015. He is batting .315 in 18 games for the Rainiers, with five homers and 21 RBI, after a June 29 promotion from Double-A Jackson.
The plan is for Vogelbach and Peterson, the club’s first-round pick in 2013, to split time at first baseman and designated hitter. Peterson also can shift back to third base, his original position, if necessary.
“We think a lot of DJ,” Dipoto said. “He’s having a great year as well. The good thing for DJ is he’s also multi-position versatile. He’s also a right-handed hitter. The combination of players fits for us both present and long-term.”
Minor details
Lo-A Clinton right-hander Nick Neidert delivered five more scoreless innings Wednesday in a 3-0 victory at Lansing (Blue Jays). Neidert is 7-2 with a 2.39 ERA in 11 starts since his May 24 promotion from extended spring training.
Neidert, 19, was the Mariners’ top pick — No. 60 overall — in the 2015 draft.
Looking back
It was 16 years ago Friday — July 22, 2000 — that the Mariners endured their first rain delay for a home game in franchise history.
A computer malfunction prevented the roof at Safeco Field from closing as a rainstorm drenched the crowd of 44,381 and prompted a 54-minute delay in a 13-5 victory over the Texas Rangers.
On tap
The Mariners open an eight-game trip that spans three cities at 4:07 p.m. Pacific time Friday with the first of three weekend games against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre.
Lefty James Paxton (2-4 with a 4.56 ERA) will face Toronto right-hander Marco Estrada (5-3, 2.93). The game can be seen on Root Sports Northwest and heard on 710 ESPN.
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