Mariners' bullpen on late-season upswing

SEATTLE -- Don’t try telling the Mariners’ bullpen this has been a short Major League season.

As Seattle heads into the final week of the abbreviated 60-game campaign, just two relievers -- rookies Yohan Ramirez and Anthony Misiewicz -- have managed to stay healthy and on the active roster for the entire journey.

Five relievers are on the injured list, three have just recently returned from the injured list, three others have been traded, seven have spent time at the alternate training site or been released. And that doesn't count Andres Muñoz, who was already on the IL while on the mend from Tommy John surgery when he was acquired at the Trade Deadline.

There’s a reason the Mariners have the worst bullpen ERA in the American League and are 28th out of 30 MLB teams at 5.90. What was already a large question mark going into the season has undergone considerable turnover once the games began.

Despite all the upheaval and injuries, the Mariners have seemingly solidified the back end of that bullpen group in the closing weeks, through a variety of ways.

Veteran Yoshihisa Hirano has recovered from a bout with COVID-19 and has taken over the closer duties. Former starter Kendall Graveman has adapted well to his new relief role after dealing with neck issues from a benign tumor. Casey Sadler was picked up off waivers and has been impressive. Ramirez, a Rule 5 Draft pickup, has developed into an increasingly impressive power arm. Misiewicz continues supplying an effective lefty option and right-hander Joey Gerber is another rookie who has emerged.

The Mariners have regained right-handers Erik Swanson and Brandon Brennan off the injured list over the past week, giving manager Scott Servais more viable options than he’s had all year.

“We’ve been very fluid in our bullpen,” Servais said. “Now it’s starting to jam up a little bit, in a good way. With Gravy coming into the mix, he’s been able to take high-leverage innings late in games. I really like what we’ve seen from Casey Sadler. He’s thrown the ball really well, and I like his pitch mix. He can sink it, has a good curveball and he’ll throw any pitch at any time.

“Having Hirano back and using him a lot in those games where we do have a lead in the ninth, because of his experience out there, that’s been very valuable for us. And I thought Swanson threw the ball well for us [Sunday].”

Hirano, a former closer in Japan, has a 2.45 ERA and three saves in 11 appearances since he’s gotten healthy. Graveman’s ERA is 5.40 in seven bullpen outings, but other than one rough go in San Francisco, he’s allowed just three hits and one earned run in six innings over six appearances while displaying an upper-90s fastball.

Sadler has a 1.17 ERA and just four hits allowed in 7 2/3 innings since being claimed from the Cubs, and the hard-throwing Ramirez owns a 2.41 ERA and three saves with 24 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings.

“The biggest growth of anybody in our bullpen is certainly Yohan Ramirez and what he’s been able to do through the course of the season,” Servais said. “With the different things we’ve thrown on his plate, he’s handled them very, very well for a rookie.”

The Mariners also have two other midseason waiver pickups -- Walker Lockett from the Mets and Brady Lail from the White Sox -- in their current 10-man bullpen mix.

“We do have some interesting guys back there,” Servais said. “I really want those guys to finish the season on a high note. Our bullpen at times this year has really struggled, but they’ve all had their day. They’re learning and have taken steps forward in their development, and I really want them to finish strong here down the stretch this last week.”