Erasmo Ramirez Tabbed As Mariners Number Two Starter

Mar 20, 2014; Mesa, AZ, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Erasmo Ramirez (50) pitches against the Chicago Cubs at Cubs Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

In his final spring tuneup, Erasmo Ramirez scattered three hits, allowed only one run and struck out six in five innings of work as the Mariners lost to Texas 5-3 Wednesday.

Ramirez has been impressing all spring and Wednesday was no exception. His only blemish, an Adam Rosales single in the 6th that scored on a single that reliever Charlie Furbush gave up to Joe Jackson.

After the game, Mariners skipper Lloyd McClendon made the inevitable, official.

"“He’s done for the spring,” McClendon stated. “He’ll be my number two starter.”"

James Paxton will have a final tuneup Thursday in a minor league game as the major team has one last day off before the season starts. Paxton appears to be in line for the number three spot in the rotation.

Roenis Elias will get the start in Friday’s Cactus League game, seemingly preparing to take the fourth spot in the rotation.

With the losses of Scott Baker and Randy Wolf, coupled with the injuries to Taijuan Walker, Hisashi Iwakuma and Brandon Maurer, it appears that the number five spot is still up for grabs.

Blake Beavan or Hector Noesi are the in-house options. But McClendon led us to believe Wednesday that the club may still be actively shopping for an arm.

"“There are still some things in the works,” manager Lloyd McClendon said this morning. “We’re starting to get clarity to the whole picture. Hopefully, by the end of the day, we’ll have more to tell you.”"

Nothing transpired by day’s end, but stay tuned because things can happen quickly.