Mariners News: Danny Hultzen Back With the Mariners

The Seattle Mariners pitcher Danny Hultzen has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to AAA Tacoma.  He was designated for assignment last Friday by the Seattle Mariners but was not claimed.

For years Mariners have been waiting for “the big three” to join Felix Hernandez on the major league staff and have a young powerhouse starting rotation.  The big three being James Paxton, Danny Hultzen and Taijuan Walker.  The big three were thought of as untouchable when trade discussions would come up in the last few years because of their potential.  They were designated the future of the Mariners pitching staff.  Paxton and Walker have arrived on the big club.  They are beginning to make their mark.  And while not one has played a complete season, they have shown some great potential.

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Danny Hultzen has run into some health issues that he has been unable to shake. He’s had a troubled last 3 seasons filled with injuries.  Since the 25 year old was not claimed it is unlikely that he will be selected in the Rule 5 draft in December.

The 6-foot-3, 210 pound lefty has only pitched 43 2/3 innings in the last 3 years.  But when he’s pitched he has shown tremendous potential.  In the minors he has pitched a total of 167 2/3 innings with a 2.84 earned run average with 186 strikeouts and 87 walks.

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There is no telling what the future holds for the Seattle Mariners second pick of the 2011 draft, Danny Hultzen.  But the Mariners have not lost hope just yet on the highest draft pick of the big three.  He was shut down last August to continue his rehab.  He is slated to begin throwing in January and the Mariners expect him to be ready to go by Spring Training.  If he can stay healthy, it is not entirely out of the question to finally see the big three in the starting rotation on opening day 2016.  That is if Jerry Dipoto doesn’t trade any of the three pitchers away.  As we’ve seen in the last few weeks, Jerry is on a mission.  All that aside the Mariners know that if Hultzen can stay healthy that would be a significant step in the right direction.