Mariners’ Kowar, pitcher from Jarred Kelenic trade, finally set for team debut

For the first time since the Seattle Mariners acquired Jackson Kowar in December 2023, the relief pitcher is on the team’s active roster.

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The 28-year-old Kowar has been activated from the injured list ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Washington Nationals, with starting pitcher Logan Evans optioned to Triple-A Tacoma to make room on the 26-man active roster. Kowar missed all of last season due to Tommy John surgery to repair a torn UCL in his throwing elbow, an injury he sustained after two appearances in spring training for the Mariners in 2024.

For more on Evans and the reason behind his demotion, click here for a full story.

Kowar was acquired by Seattle along with fellow right-handed pitcher Cole Phillips from Atlanta in a trade that send outfielder Jarred Kelenic, pitcher Marco Gonzales and first baseman Evan White to the Braves. Kelenic was the centerpiece of the trade, as Atlanta flipped Gonzales for cash to Pittsburgh and sent White to the Los Angeles Angels in a four-player swap all within a week.

The No. 33 overall pick in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft by Kansas City, Kowar has pitched in 39 career big league games including eight starts over three seasons, all with the Royals (2021-23). He has a career 9.12 ERA in MLB play.

Despite his rough numbers, the 6-foot-5, 200-pound Kowar was seen as an intriguing bullpen piece for the Mariners before his injury last year thanks to a fastball in the high 90s paired with a slider and a changeup.

On a rehab assignment in the minors this month, Kowar appeared in eight games, including six relief outings with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. In seven innings on the assignment, Kowar allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits, three walks and a hit batter. He also logged four strikeouts.

Mariners general manager Justin Hollander spoke about Kowar’s status on Tuesday while providing updates on injured players to reporters.

“Kowar (is) doing well in the Triple-A rehab assignment. He’s basically there in terms of being ready to be activated,” Hollander said. “So we’ll check in this week and see where we are with Jackson, but he’s done great all throughout, bouncing back well. I think he did three appearances in five days and felt great doing it. So it’s been really nice to have the build-up time with him, and he’s checked every box along the way.”

Kowar is the second Mariners reliever to join the team this year after missing all of last season due to UCL surgery, with the other being Matt Brash.

As for the other side of the trade that brought Kowar to Seattle, Kelenic had a .231/.286/.393 slash line for a .679 OPS in 2024 for Atlanta, and after a slow start in 23 games for the Braves this year was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnet, where he has remained since April 28.

The Mariners continue their three-game series at T-Mobile Park against the Nationals with the middle game at 6:40 p.m. Wednesday night. Radio coverage on Seattle Sports will begin at 5:30 with the pregame show.

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