Mark Lowe Returns To The Seattle Mariners On A Minors Deal

Sep 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Mark Lowe (21) delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Tigers won 8-1. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Mark Lowe (21) delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Tigers won 8-1. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

After only one year completed on a two-year deal with the Detroit Tigers, Mark Lowe is back in blue with the Mariners on a minor league deal.

The 11-year major league veteran reliever signed a two-year deal with the Tigers for the 2016-17 season. After a rough first year and spring training, Lowe was released.

Lowe’s 2016 was far from respectable. He compiled a 7.11 ERA in 49.1 innings pitched out of the bullpen. His 2017 spring training wasn’t that great either. In nine grapefruit league games, Lowe threw 8.2 innings, striking out seven and garnering a 5.19 ERA.

All Mariner fans are quite familiar with him, though, and they know what he is capable of.

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Lowe began his career with the Mariners. They drafted him out of the University of Texas in the 5th round back in 2004.

He made his major league debut for the Mariners in 2006, striking out two batters in one inning of work vs. the Tigers. Lowe finished off that season with a 1.93 ERA in 15 games.

He spent 3 seasons with Seattle before being traded to the Texas Rangers in 2010. He was part of the blockbuster deal that also sent over Cliff Lee and brought in Matt Lawson, Blake Beaven, Josh Lueke and Justin Smoak.

After seasons with the Rangers, Angels, and Indians, Lowe returned to Seattle. He pitched very well in his second stint with the Mariners, compiling a 1.00 ERA in 34 games in the first half of the season. At the July trade deadline, Lowe was sent to the Jays.

Lowe has an accumulative 3.45 ERA over six seasons with the Mariners.

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We all know how effective a great bullpen can be. It could easily make or break a season for a club. If Mark Lowe can get back on track with the team he knows best, The Mariner bullpen could be among the elite in the American League.