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Mariners News: M’s Move Nate Karns to the ‘Pen

By Brian Helberg

Jun 9, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Nathan Karns (13) wipes his face after leaving the game in the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Nathan Karns (13) wipes his face after leaving the game in the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Pitching has been a serious problem for the Mariners as of late, and they have made a significant change to their starting rotation.

The Seattle Mariners announced on Tuesday that Nate Karns will be moved from the starting rotation to the bullpen. Scott Servais suggested that the move would only be temporary. Somebody had to shift to the ‘pen with Wade Miley set to come off the DL tonight, and Seattle acquiring Wade LeBlanc from the Toronto Blue Jays last week.

The Mariners landed Karns from the Tampa Bay Rays this past offseason as part of the return package for Logan Morrison, Brad Miller and Danny Farquhar. He got off to a solid start with the Mariners, but his performance has dropped off significantly in June.

The 28-year-old right-hander went 5-1 with a 3.43 ERA through his first 10 starts in a Mariner uniform. Karns posted a 57:21 strikeout to walk ratio and held the opposition to a .245 batting average through 57.2 innings pitched.

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However, Karns is 1-1 with a dismal 7.33 ERA across 5 outings since the calendar flipped to June. He has done a very poor job keeping the Mariners in games, as the club is 1-4 during his starts this month. His 27:17 strikeout to walk ratio leaves something to be desired, as does the fact that opposition is hitting .283 against Karns.

Overall, the Texas Tech alum boasts a record of 6-2 and a 4.56 ERA in 15 starts with the Mariners in 2016. He has fanned 84 while issuing 38 free passes through 81 innings this season. Karns has been touched up for 8 home runs and has allowed 1.456 walks/hits per inning.

Nate Karns’ ability to rack up strikeouts should play well working out of the bullpen. It’s likely we will see Karns return to the starting rotation at some point in 2016, but he could be an impact reliever for the Mariners in the short-term if he can consistently throw strikes.

With Karns moving to the bullpen, that means James Paxton and Wade LeBlanc have done enough to earn more time in the M’s starting rotation. Both southpaw’s have shown well in limited action thus far in 2016.

Paxton began the season with the Tacoma Rainiers before getting called up to Seattle in June. The Ladner, BC product is 1-3 with a 4.15 ERA across 6 starts with the Mariners in 2016. Paxton has struck out 41 and walked 11 through 34.2 innings pitched.

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What has impressed the Mariners most is Pax-Man’s increase in velocity. Through his first three seasons in the big leagues, Paxton’s fastball averaged 94 mph. This season, his heater has flirted with triple digits while averaging 97 mph.

The Mariners traded for LeBlanc from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for cash or a player to be named later on June 22. The 31-year-old lefty had been dominating with the Blue Jays’ Class-AAA affiliate prior to joining the M’s, going 7-2 with a 1.71 ERA in 14 starts.

LeBlanc was very impressive during his first start with Seattle, blanking the St. Louis Cardinals across 6 innings while striking out 3 and walking 1. Unlike Paxton, LeBlanc is not going to overpower hitters. Rather, he is a heady hurler who relies on mixing speeds and hitting his spots.

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Nate Karns still has plenty of potential, but I believe moving him to the bullpen is the best thing for the Mariners right now. James Paxton is rolling and Wade LeBlanc deserves an opportunity.

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