SEATTLE MARINERS

Mariners add RHP J.B. Bukauskas to bullpen on waiver claim

Jan 17, 2023, 2:05 PM

Mariners J.B. Bukauskas...

Arizona reliever J.B. Bukauskas pitches against the San Diego Padres on April 27, 2021. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Mariners announced the addition of a bullpen option on Tuesday afternoon, claiming right-handed pitcher J.B. Bukauskas off waivers from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

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To make room for Bukauskas on the 40-man roster, Seattle designated minor league outfielder Alberto Rodriguez for assignment.

Bukauskas, 26, is a University of North Carolina product who was drafted 15th overall in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros. He was sent to Arizona as part of the trade that brought Zack Grienke to Houston in 2019.

In 2022, Bukauskas began the season on the 60-day injured list with a grade 2 teres major muscle strain, then made 21 of his 23 total minor league appearances for Triple-A Reno. He had a 2.66 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 19 strikeouts to four walks over 20 1/3 innings with Reno.

He debuted in MLB for the D-backs in 2021, throwing 17 1/3 innings over 21 appearances. He posted a 7.79 ERA, 1.788 WHIP and 14 strikeouts to seven walks.

Though Bukauskas has started games in his pro career, he has exclusively pitched out of the bullpen since the 2021 season.

The Mariners have added five other relievers this offseason: free agent signing Trevor Gott, trade acquisition Justin Topa, Rule 5 Draft selection Chris Clarke, and waiver pickups Easton McGee and Gabe Speier.

Pitchers and catchers will report to Mariners spring training on Feb. 15, with Cactus League play in Arizona set to begin Feb. 24 with Seattle’s traditional spring opener against their fellow tenants at the Peoria Sports Complex, the San Diego Padres. Seattle Sports 710 AM will be the home of Mariners broadcasts from spring training all the way to the end of the 2023 season.

For more on the team, catch the Mariners Hot Stove live on Seattle Sports from 7-9 p.m. every Tuesday leading up to spring training.

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