Mariners share expected timelines on 3 injured bullpen arms

SEATTLE –  Carlos Vargas is expected to make the soonest return among three key Seattle Mariners bullpen arms on the injured list.

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General manager Justin Hollander on Friday said Vargas had a “really good week” and could throw a bullpen session as soon as Tuesday.

“Then he would be sort of penciled to return to play, depending on how it goes, sometime in mid-August,” Hollander said.

The 26-year-old Vargas has missed all of this season with a right lat strain. He had a 3.97 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over a career-high 77 innings in 70 appearances last season.

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The club expects right-handers Matt Brash and Cooper Criswell to make their returns soon after. Brash (right lat strain) has started a throwing program and could be back by mid-to-late August. Criswell (right pec strain) is about a week behind Brash and could return in late August or early September.

Brash has been out since June 10. He had a 0.54 ERA and 0.84 WHIP over 16 2/3 innings in 20 outings before his IL stint.

Criswell, acquired in an offseason trade with the New York Mets, had a 3.52 ERA and 1.17 WHIP over 30 2/3 innings in 26 appearances prior to landing on the 15-day IL June 9. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on July 3.

The Mariners continue a three-game series with the San Francisco Giants at 5:08 p.m. on Saturday. Radio coverage begins on Seattle Sports 710 AM and the Seattle Sports app at 4 p.m.

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