M’s surprisingly send down Farquhar to make room for Jackson
May 25, 2015, 8:43 PM | Updated: 8:57 pm
(AP)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Mariners have activated Austin Jackson from the 15-day disabled list and optioned Danny Farquhar to Tacoma. Rather than making a move with one of their position players the Mariners sent a struggling reliever down and will go with a six-man pen for the short term.
“We think that for a temporary period of time it is the right thing to do,” general manager Jack Zduriencik said after the Mariners’ 4-1 win over the Rays. “It keeps our position players intact. We feel pretty good about what we are sending out in the next couple of days, but you never know. If we have to make a move shortly after that we are prepared to do that.”
With the team back home on Wednesday and the Rainiers at home for the same week, help is nearby if the bullpen is suddenly taxed. Zduriencik said they would see how this plays out “game-to-game, day-to-day.”
The move buys Zduriencik more time to figure out a more permanent move, to get more of a read on his young and easily movable players with options (Brad Miller and Chris Taylor) or perhaps swing a trade for one of his veterans. Designating a player for assignment would be the last and least desirable option.
The move is also about getting Farquhar, a valuable piece of the bullpen, back on track.
“It is hard for any pitcher to try to make adjustments in the big leagues,” manager Lloyd McClendon said. “It gives Danny a chance to step back a bit and work on the things he needs to work on and get back here.”
For Farquhar the news was no doubt disappointing. He heads to Tacoma ready to work, however.
“It’s little things, more cutter command than anything,” he said in the clubhouse following the announcement. “Use this time to get away from the big spotlight. Obviously you are trying to win every game but it’s not as important as it is up here. Less press maybe. Just go down there and get back to myself.”
Despite his recent results Farquhar believes he is not far off.
“There were a couple of outings earlier where I was lost,” he admitted. “I feel like I battled back from that.”
Farquhar won’t waste any time worrying about the position he now finds himself in. He knows who he is as a pitcher and he knows that when he is right, he can help this team.
“It’s not my first time sucking. I’ve been humbled plenty of times in baseball,” he said. “You just have to kind of forget it and battle your way through it.”