SEATTLE -- Matt Brash officially joined the Mariners on Tuesday and will contribute out of the bullpen over Seattle¡¯s final stretch as it chases an American League Wild Card.

Low-leverage reliever Matt Andriese was designated for assignment in order to clear a 40-man roster spot for Brash, the club¡¯s No. 10 prospect per MLB Pipeline. He was also announced as the Mariners¡¯ Minor League Pitcher of the Year earlier Tuesday.

Brash is expected to be deployed for a clean inning when he makes his big league debut, which will hinge on game circumstance. Because he¡¯s kept his arm fresh and because the Mariners will likely use him in abbreviated outings rather than as a bulk-innings pitcher, he could theoretically make multiple appearances before the final game of the regular season on Sunday. Brash would be eligible for the postseason roster as well, general manager Jerry Dipoto said.

¡°I don't think it's fair to him to bring him in with guys on base,¡± Mariners manager Scott Servais said. ¡°We want to give him proper time to warm up in the bullpen and then come in from there.¡±

Brash hasn't thrown since Sept. 16 in his final outing with Double-A Arkansas, with a quick stop back home to Kingston, Ontario. In between, he was thinking his season was over until the call came from Dipoto.

¡°It's been quite the journey,¡± Brash said. ¡°I thought in Spring Training my stuff was really good and that I would have a chance if I performed really well, and I just kind of took it game by game and if it happened, it happened. If it didn't, whatever. But yeah, it's been quite the journey this year for sure.¡±

Brash throws a fastball that sits in the mid-90s and has topped out at 100 mph and complements it with a gnarly slider that has become fodder for Pitching Ninja and other viral social media in his breakout season. He also throws a curveball and changeup, but the fastball-slider combo is what has largely been responsible behind his 35.1% strikeout rate in 97 1/3 innings this season, which began at High-A Everett and included a promotion to Double-A in mid-July.

¡°I think my stuff has gotten a lot better this year,¡± Brash said from T-Mobile Park, one day after his first visit to the venue. ¡°I'm throwing harder. My speed has gotten a lot better. But I think it's just I've learned throughout the year how to pitch and how my stuff plays, and now I'm just really comfortable each time I get out there, I'm going to perform really well.¡±

Brash was the player to be named later in a 2020 Trade Deadline deal with the Padres that sent reliever Taylor Williams to San Diego, a separate transaction from the blockbuster that netted Ty France, Luis Torrens, Taylor Trammell and Andr¨¦s Mu?oz in exchange for Austin Adams, Dan Altavilla and Austin Nola.

MiLB award winners announced
Brash was one of many to be honored in the Mariners¡¯ unveiling of their Minor League awards for 2021 on Tuesday.

Here¡¯s a full breakdown:

? OF Cade Marlowe (No. 27 prospect) received the Ken Griffey Jr. Minor League Hitter of the Year

? RHP Matt Brash (No. 10) received the Jamie Moyer Minor League Pitcher of the Year

? OF Julio Rodr¨ªguez (No. 1) received the Alvin Davis ¡°Mr. Mariner¡± Award

? RHP Isaiah Campbell (No. 18) received the Dan Wilson Minor League Community Service Award

? OF Jack Larsen received the Edgar Martinez Dominate the Zone Hitter Award

? RHP David Ellingson received the Dominate the Zone Pitcher Award

? Manager Louis Boyd received the Dave Henderson Minor League Staff Member of the Year Award

Many of the recipients will be honored ahead of Saturday¡¯s game against the Angels, including Rodr¨ªguez, who shared his appreciation for being recognized on Twitter: