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Mariners News: M’s Make Flurry of Roster Moves

By Brian Helberg

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When you lose 15 of your first 25 games, changes are inevitable. The Mariners’ have not had the start they hoped they would, and Jack Zduriencik and Lloyd McClendon have opted to shake some things up.

The Mariners have optioned Yoervis Medina and Tyler Olson to triple-A Tacoma. Center fielder Austin Jackson was placed on the 15-day disabled list this evening after rolling his ankle on Sunday afternoon in Houston. These moves cleared 3 spots on the M’s 25-man roster.

Veteran southpaw Joe Beimel has been recalled from Tacoma to fill the void left by Spokane native Tyler Olson. Beimel went 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA across 3.2 innings with the Rainiers in April. He recorded 5 strikeouts and walked none in the Pacific Coast League. The 38-year-old had an incredible comeback season for Seattle in 2014, but the M’s let him walk this offseason in free agency. After a failed spring with the Texas Rangers, Beimel latched on with the M’s. Black Beard went 3-1 with a 2.20 ERA over the course of 56 appearances with Seattle last season.

Shortstop Chris Taylor has also gotten the call to return to the Emerald City. Taylor was deadlocked in the battle for the starting shortstop job this spring prior him fracturing his wrist. The University of Virginia alum was hitting .313 with 2 home runs and 6 RBI’s across 80 at bats. He did a pretty good job with the Mariners during the second half of last season, hitting .287 with 9 RBI’s and 5 stolen bases through 47 games. Taylor is a light-hitting middle infielder, but the 24-year-old has a reputation as a plus fielder.

Jul 20, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Seattle Mariners reliever Joe Beimel delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The Angels defeated the Mariners 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Right-hander Mark Lowe has been called up from the Rainiers to take Yoervis Medina’s spot in the Mariners’ bullpen. Lowe has been dealing thus far with Tacoma, going 0-1 with a 1.00 ERA across 9 innings of work. The 31-year-old has struck out 11 and yet to issue a free pass this season. This will be his second tour of duty with the M’s, as he has spent parts of 5 seasons pitching for Seattle. The Sugar Land, TX product has gone 5-15 and posted a 3.95 ERA over the course of 175.1 career innings in a Mariners’ uniform. Lowe is a hard thrower, who saw plenty of action this spring in Peoria with the M’s.

All three of these players figure to have an immediate impact with the M’s. Chris Taylor is in the Mariners’ staring lineup tonight against the Angels, and it sounds like he will be given the opportunity to steal the job from Brad Miller. Joe Beimel is the second lefty in the M’s bullpen, and fans are hoping he will be able to replicate his 2014 season. I expect Mark Lowe to be the last arm in the Mariners’ bullpen initially.

Personally, I am not a Chris Taylor fan. I prefer Brad Miller as the Mariners’ shortstop, and I think it is laughable to make Miller the scapegoat for the M’s poor start. However, I have nothing against Taylor, and I hope he is able to help get the Mariners back on track.

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I am happy to see Joe Beimel get another shot with the Mariners. Beimel was great last season in Seattle, and hopefully his charismatic personality can help galvanize what has been a lackluster Mariner bullpen in 2015. I thought Tyler Olson did fine in his first month in the Majors, but it was obvious he was in over his head.

Only time will tell if any of these moves will make a difference, but after starting the season 10-15, change is necessary. Look for Zduriencik and McClendon to keep tinkering with the roster is the club continues to struggle.

Next: Mariners Analysis: Can the M's Regroup in May?

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