Brandon Maurer Demoted, Endy Chavez Called Up

Friday was the day Seattle Mariners fans have been waiting a long time for. RHP Brandon Maurer was optioned back down to Triple-A Tacoma, Endy Chavez was called up to fill his roster spot.

Maurer has been dreadful at best and I think I’m being kind.

Brandon was 1-4 with a 7.52 ERA since being called up after injuries to James Paxton, Taijuan Walker, Blake Beavan and the poopr pitching of Erasmo Ramirez literally left the Mariners with no options.

It does beg the question: Who will pitch in his spot?

The Mariners don’t have an off day in the near future where they can skip the 5th spot in the rotation. Are they planning a trade? Are they expecting James Paxton to be ready after all? They already said Walker would have to make at least one more start in Tacoma.

I guess we will see on Tuesday when the Mariners play the first of two in Atlanta against the Braves. That is when a 5th starter would be needed. Using Hisashi Iwakuma on three days rest is an option, plus it would reset the rotation so that ‘Kuma was right after Felix Hernandez – where he belongs in the rotation.

In the meantime, we will get a chance to worry a little less every 5th day now that Maurer is gone. No offense to Maurer, I’m sure he’s a real nice guy and I feel bad for him, I really do. But I’ve seen it on the faces of fans around the NW every time his turn came up in the rotation. Fear, anxiety, that look of being ready to throw up a little bit in your own mouth.

Those days are over, for now. We wish you the best Brandon, so long as it’s in Tacoma.