Mariners Thyago Vieira Update: Sent to Minor League Camp

Since we last updated you on Vieira, his spring training has turned upside down.

First of all, we learned that the Mariners, Thyago Vieira, was a Jack Zduriencik find, not a Jerry Dipoto diamond in the rough. Which gives me mixed emotions about a player I thoroughly enjoy.

Secondly, Vieira struggled mightily in his next two spring training outings, mostly because of command issues which have resurfaced from previous years.

During his second stint on the bump this spring training, Vieira walked three Oakland Athletics batters, giving up one run, on one hit, in an inning of work. He did, however, strike out two in that inning.

His third appearance came against the defending champs. Vieira allowed four runs, on five hits including one that left the ballpark, all in only two-thirds of an inning. Vieira only struck out one, in what would be his last time on the mound in 2017 big league spring training.

Three days later, he was optioned to AA Arkansas to finish out the rest of the spring, as well as where he will likely start the 2017 season.

Related Story: Thyago Vieira Update

The Arkansas Travelers are the Mariners new Double-A affiliate.

This will be Vieira’s first time above high-A.

Vieira’s final major league spring training statistics leave him with a 1-0 record, a 16.87 ERA, allowing seven hits, five earned runs, one home run, three walks, a .500 opponents batting average, a WHIP of 3.75, and four strikeouts, all over two and two-thirds innings.

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This is only spring training so we shouldn’t worry too much about statistics. Mariners fan should worry more about his regular season outings in the minors, rather that spring training stats.

Thyago is projected to make it to the major leagues this season so it shouldn’t be too long before he’s running out to the mound from the Safeco Field bullpen.

If Thyago can completely resolve his command issues once and for all he should be a dominant reliever for the Mariners for many years to come.

With the World Baseball Classic wrapping up it should be noted if Brazil had made the tournament that Thyago would be pitching for Team Brazil. Born in Sao Paulo, Brazil Vieira was a part of the Brazilian World Baseball Classic team in 2013.

During the tournament Vieira pitched in two games but struggled, giving up two runs in one and a third innings while only striking out one batter.

Next: Ultimate Preview: Starting Rotation

The final thing we learned about the incredible Thyago is that his name is pronounced CHY-AW-GO not THY-AW-GO as previously thought.

He becomes more and more interesting every day.