Mariner Activate RP Alex Colome and OF Denard Span, Send Down RP Casey Lawrence and 1B/DH Dan Vogelbach to AAA Tacoma
RHP Casey Lawrence has been sent down to make room for RP Alex Colome, who will help with late inning duties, allowing Juan Nicasio to get some rest every now and then. Another reliever, like Chasen Bradford (2 ER in 11 IP) or Ryan Cook (1 ER in 10 IP) were candidates to be sent down for OF Denard Span due to the Mariners currently running with a 8-man bullpen, but they’ve been so great in middle relief roles, that after a key error on defense cost the Mariners a game late, Dan Vogelbach was the guy who gets sent down to make room for OF Denard Span. Vogelbach was hitting .303 in an extremely small sample size this season, but his defense has hurt his overall value, which is why he was chosen to be sent down to Tacoma. The team has stated that we will see Vogey back up at some point this season, and he will get at-bats, but they will likely be as a DH or as a pinch hitter in games unless he improves his defense considerably.
The Mariners offense is without its excellent leadoff hitter Dee Gordon, who should be back in mid-June. It is rumored that the Mariner will move him back to 2B temporarily as the team has been playing Gordon Beckham and Andrew Romine every day at 2B, who have combined for -0.3 WAR. This would give Guillermo Heredia the chance to play CF every day, with Mitch Haniger in RF and Ben Gamel in LF with Denard Span adding extra depth as a 4th OF who can pinch run late in games with his plus speed. Once Robinson Cano returns it is not sure what the Mariners will do, but it’s likely they go shorthanded with maybe only 6 guys in the bullpen come mid-august when Cano is eligible to return (assuming there are no other injuries).
