New Mariners reliever with zero MLB experience could be a lifeline for bullpen

The Casey Legumina era in Seattle is over, and some Mariners fans might say it wasn't short enough. Yet following Legumina's designation for assignment, fans are now being asked to put their faith in a new reliever whose next MLB appearance will be his first: Alex Hoppe.

He's joining a bullpen that is shakier than its 3.55 ERA lets on. Mariners relievers have a 3-6 record and they rank 25th in win probability added. And no, it isn't all because Andrés Muñoz is struggling to find his usual form in the ninth inning.

An overall point of concern is the distribution of strikeout stuff from the entire relief corps. It is there in the pen's overall contact rate and strikeout rate, but Muñoz and Cole Wilcox are the only core relievers striking out more than one batter per inning.

Though strikeouts obviously aren't the only way to get outs, they're always the path of least resistance when it comes to risk. More balls in play means more chances for things to go wrong. And early in 2026, the Mariners know all too well just how wrong things can go.

What Alex Hoppe lacks in experience, he makes up for in stuff and confidence

For Hoppe's part, he's still new to the Mariners organization after being added in a November 2025 trade with the Boston Red Sox. We knew at the time that he had good stuff, and that part didn't disappoint in his work with Triple-A Tacoma.

In eight appearances, the 27-year-old righty logged 8.0 innings and allowed no runs on four hits and three walks. He struck out 12, in part thanks to a four-seam fastball that got as high as 99.4 mph.

The real prize of Hoppe's arsenal, though, is his slider. The Mariners have him using it twice as often as he did for Boston's Triple-A affiliate in 2025, and the proof is in the pudding. It held minor league hitters to an .071 average with a 46.9 whiff percentage before his promotion.

Walks tended to be Hoppe's problem before 2026, but he only walked three of the 30 batters he faced with Tacoma. In a tale as old as time for this organization, the Mariners challenged him to hit the zone more often. It's working, as his first-pitch strike rate and overall zone rate are up.

It's doubtful that Hoppe will be thrown right into high-leverage work. That isn't how Dan Wilson preferred to use Legumina and, let's face it, Hoppe needs to prove he can walk in The Show before he can set his sights on running.

If it doesn't work out, oh well. Hoppe has three minor league options remaining, and Carlos Vargas could be back from a lat strain as early as next month.

It's nonetheless OK to cross your fingers for Hoppe. The Mariners' bullpen needs a shot in the arm, and he might be just the guy to administer it.

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