Mariners claim 2-time All-Star LHP Sean Doolittle off waivers, DFA Keynan Middleton
Aug 26, 2021, 12:44 PM
The Mariners added two-time All-Star LHP Sean Doolittle to the bullpen. (Getty)
(Getty)
The Mariners added a big-name lefty to the bullpen on Thursday, claiming two-time All-Star reliever Sean Doolittle off waivers after he was recently designated for assignment by the Cincinnati Reds. Right-handed reliever Keynan Middleton was designated for assignment to make room for Doolittle.
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Doolittle, 34, has been in MLB since 2012 when he made his debut with the Oakland Athletics. He was with the franchise until 2017, when he was traded to the Washington Nationals, where Doolittle won a World Series in 2019. He signed with the Reds in free agency this offseason. Doolittle was an All-Star for Oakland in 2014 and with Washington in 2018.
For his career, Doolittle has a 26-25 record, 3.19 ERA, 112 saves and 504 strikeouts in 434 innings (446 games). In 2021, Doolittle is 3-1 with a 4.46 ERA and one save in 38 1/3 innings. He also had scoreless outings in eight of his last nine appearances. He last pitched for the Reds on Aug. 18.
Middleton, meanwhile, is 27 years old and joined the Mariners as a free agent this offseason. He’s bounced between the Mariners and minors and also spent time on the injured list with a biceps strain. He is 1-2 with a 4.94 ERA and four saves in 2021.
The addition of Doolittle does fulfill a need for the Mariners as he’s a left-handed pitcher. After Hector Santiago was suspended for performance-enhancing drugs, Anthony Misiewicz was the lone southpaw in Seattle’s pen.
Not only does Doolittle give manager Scott Servais another lefty weapon in his bullpen, but he gives him big game experience. In his 10-year career, Doolittle has been on five playoff teams, including the aforementioned 2019 World Series champion Washington Nationals. In 20 playoff appearances, Doolittle has a 2.42 ERA with five holds and three saves with 23 strikeouts in 22 1/3 innings.
The Mariners enter Thursday just 2.5 games back of the Boston Red Sox for the second American League Wild Card spot, so Doolittle will likely be pitching in some very meaningful games and situations for the Mariners very soon.
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