Mariners DFA Bonderman: Update

Update: It appears as if Erasmo Ramirez will be coming up to make the Thursday start. Eric Wedge confirmed to Geoff Baker that the replacement will be coming from AAA, and that pretty much eliminates any other viable candidates. Here’s the Baker tweet with the details.

In the world of long overdue moves, the Seattle Mariners have designated starting pitcher Jeremy Bonderman for assignment today. In his place, they recalled lefty specialist reliever Lucas Luetge.

This post feels more obligatory than anything, since the sacrifice of Bonderman to the assignment Gods was one that was expected. Frankly, Bonderman probably shouldn’t have even been on the major league roster to begin with. But now he’s gone, so let’s at least analyze it a little bit.

Bonderman, who previously hadn’t started in the bigs since 2012, made seven starts for the Mariners, amassing a 1-3 record with a 4.93 earned run average. He debuted with the M’s on June 2, and was lit up for seven runs by the Minnesota Twins in a game the M’s lost 10-0. In his most recent start, he allowed six runs in just 3.1 innings in a 7-6 loss to the Cubs.

The Mariners probably only invested in Bonderman’s reclamation project since he is a Kennewick native. Ultimately, he didn’t hurt them much more than a replacement level fifth starter would have. Seattle gave him a shot, he failed, and they moved on.

The real intrigue with this demotion is who makes Bonderman’s scheduled start on Thursday. Most people familiar with the team, including myself, feel that it will be Erasmo Ramirez. Ramirez, who was projected to be in the opening day rotation in March, has yet to make the big leagues this year due to injury.

Ramirez is 3-3 with a 3.09 ERA in seven starts in Tacoma this year. He has fanned 42 batters in 43.2 innings, and seems to be the clear choice to make Thursday’s start. If not, Blake Beavan would be able to make a spot start or two until Ramirez or one of the other promising Mariner prospects in Tacoma is ready to go.