Mariners activate Erik Swanson from IL, demote Anthony Misiewicz

The Mariners have shaken up their bullpen prior to the start of a lengthy homestand, activating right-handed hurler Erik Swanson from the injured list and demoting lefty Anthony Misiewicz to Triple-A Tacoma Friday afternoon.

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Swanson, 28, was one of the Mariners’ best relievers to start the season, posting a 1.29 ERA and 0.786 WHIP over 14 innings while striking out 21 batters and allowing only two runs and one walk across 13 appearances. He’s been out of action since May 10 with right elbow inflammation.

Misiewicz, 27, has had his struggles in 2022, as evidenced by a 4.61 ERA and 1.463 WHIP across 13 2/3 innings. Opponents are slashing .275/.351/.431 against the lefty, who is currently posting career-worst marks in walks per nine innings (4.0) as well as strikeouts per nine (5.3).

Misiewicz has been on the Mariners since he made the opening day roster in the shortened 2020 season. He joins Drew Steckenrider as being another notable veteran Seattle reliever who has been optioned to Tacoma in the last few weeks.

Misiewicz entered the season as one of two lefties in Seattle’s bullpen, along with Justus Sheffield. But Sheffield barely pitched and was ultimately sent to Triple-A to be a starting pitcher. Misiewicz has been one of the few left-handed options Seattle has had this season out of the bullpen, including stretches where he’s been the only southpaw reliever on the MLB roster.

With Misiewicz sent down and Swanson activated, the Mariners still have nine pitchers in the bullpen. Seven are right handed while two – Roenis Elías and the recently-acquired Ryan Borucki – are lefties.

As shown through the numbers listed earlier, Swanson was stellar for the Mariners in April and early-May. He now joins a bullpen that’s starting to pitch better, and he may quickly return to late-inning work alongside ace reliever Paul Sewald and Diego Castillo, who has been excellent of late working predominantly in the ninth inning.

The Mariners are still awaiting the activation of veteran right hander Ken Giles (finger) from the injured list to add to the bullpen. Giles has been a pretty dominant closer throughout his career, but he hasn’t pitched since 2020 due to Tommy John surgery and the aforementioned finger injury. Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said Thursday that he expected both Swanson and Giles to return to the MLB roster this homestand.

The Mariners kick off an 11-game homestand Friday night against the Boston Red Sox at 7:10 p.m. You can listen to that game live on Seattle Sports 710 AM, starting with the pregame show at 6 p.m.

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