Mariners notebook: Cutting Joel Peralta a tough move for first-year manager Scott Servais

SAN DIEGO – The bullpen will have a different look as the Mariners have called up Cody Martin and designated Joel Peralta for assignment. After a good start for Peralta, one in which he was called into higher-leverage situations than would have been expected coming out of spring training, he allowed 11 runs in his last 11 1/3 innings.

While the performance had faltered, the leadership Peralta brought to the clubhouse did not. It’s a tough move for the club and the manager.

“It’s been a rough day,” said Scott Servais. “For a guy that has meant so much to myself personally, a first time manager going to spring training you are trying to get them all rolling on a number of different things as far as your environment and culture and Joel was really was at the forefront. One of the leaders of it, a big proponent in what I was trying to put in play and really helped sending the message throughout the clubhouse and making it fun every day.”

Servais also acknowledged the role that Peralta played when his right-handed setup man, Joaquin Benoit, was on the DL.

“He really stepped up and pitched awesome,” he said. “Really saved our bacon. I think he was personally responsible for us hanging on to leads in four, five, six games.”

The emergence of Mike Montgomery and Peralta’s struggles against right-handers contributed to the move, as did the fact that he was more of a one-inning guy.

“We’re in a good spot in the fact that we think we have a chance to win here,” said Servais. “You have to look down the road and see who is going to be able to carry a bigger load out of the bullpen and see how that comes together. I don’t think it is a finished product yet.

“It’s just a really difficult day because I respect the tar out of what he has done in his career, what he did for me and what he did for the Mariners.”

Martin will get an opportunity to show he can fill that role. He’s pitched both in relief and as a starter in Tacoma and is available to pitch Thursday night. Bullpen coach Mike Hampton, who worked with Martin in spring training, gives the scouting report.

“He has a good mix of fastball, curve, slider, change,” he said. “He’s got four weapons, so if one pitch is not on he can go to another. He controls the zone really well, attacks the zone, gives us a little different look in he’s got some breaking balls that he can throw for strikes at any time. He can give us some length; he will be a welcome addition to this pen.”

Notes:

• ICYMI: Servais confirmed that James Paxton will get a start on the upcoming homestand.

• Leonys Martin continues to progress. He is scheduled, weather permitting, to run on the field Friday in Texas.

• If Robinson Cano reaches base Thursday, it will the 31st straight game he has done so, tying his career high.

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