Mariners place Joaquin Benoit on 15-day DL, recall Mayckol Guaipe
Apr 25, 2016, 2:48 PM
Joaquin Benoit struggled with his command, walking three and hitting another batter Friday. (AP)
(AP)
The Mariners bullpen has suffered its first blow of the season.
Joaquin Benoit has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation, creating a void in the set-up spot for closer Steve Cishek. Seattle recalled right-hander Mayckol Guaipe to take Benoit’s spot in the pen.
Three things: Can the Mariners finish April over .500?
Benoit, 38, is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA, two holds and four strikeouts over five appearances. He already missed a week’s worth of games with his shoulder issue earlier this month. He’s a 15-year MLB veteran, spending the past two seasons with San Diego.
Guaipe, 25, made his MLB debut last season, going 0-3 with a 5.40 ERA in 21 appearances. In six games with Triple-A Tacoma this year, he had a 2.16 ERA, three saves and six strikeouts.
The bullpen has been one of the surprises of the young season for the Mariners. Entering Monday’s series opener against Houston, Seattle’s relievers have an MLB-leading .162 batting average against and a 2.63 ERA that ranks fifth in the majors.
