Mariners recall Heredia, Casey Lawrence; Erasmo, Altavilla to DL
May 1, 2018, 2:37 PM | Updated: 4:14 pm
Mariners pitcher Erasmo Ramirez struggled in two starts between a pair of DL stints. (AP)
(AP)
The Mariners have made a number of roster moves ahead of their three-game series against the A’s.
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- Guillermo Heredia, OF, recalled from Triple-A Tacoma.
- Casey Lawrence, RHP, recalled from Triple-A Tacoma.
- Dan Altavilla, RHP, placed on the 10-day disabled list (retroactive to 4/30) with right AC joint inflammation.
- Erasmo Ramírez, RHP, placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right Teres Major strain.
Because of the DL moves, Guillermo Heredia was eligible to be added to the 25-man roster despite not having spent 10 days down after being optioned to Tacoma April 22. Also up from Triple-A is Casey Lawrence, who has made two starts since landing with the Rainiers.
While Lawrence could have possibly taken Ramirez’s start on Thursday, the Mariners will take long reliever Wade LeBlanc out of the bullpen to make the start. LeBlanc has appeared in five games in relief this season, and even threw 71 pitches in 4 2/3 innings on April 23.
Ramirez is expected to be out at least a month with his Teres Major strain. He opened the season on the DL after suffering a lat strain in spring training and had made two starts since returning, allowing 11 earned runs in his 9 2/3 innings pitched.
His velocity has been down a couple of mph since his return, and after giving up five solo home runs Friday to Cleveland he admitted that it was perplexing that his velocity had not returned.
“My arm feels good but I have not been able to throw normal like the last year,” Ramirez said. “I feel my body and my arm are good, just the speed is not there.”
Altavilla also had a rocky outing in Cleveland on Sunday where command was the issue as he hit a batter, walked a batter and unleashed two pitches that went to the backstop.
We should learn more about the extent of the injuries to Ramirez and Altavilla when Mariners manager Scott Servais meets with the media at 3:20 p.m.
