Mariners make roster move that could signal Gilbert’s return

The Seattle Mariners selected right-handed reliever Zach Pop from Triple-A Tacoma on Friday evening and optioned rookie right-handed starter Logan Evans back to Tacoma in a corresponding move.

M’s Injury Updates: The latest on Logan Gilbert and Bryce Miller

The moves likely signal that opening day starter Logan Gilbert is on track to return to Seattle’s rotation next week.

Gilbert completed a bullpen session on Friday afternoon at T-Mobile Park, shortly before the moves were made.

General manager Justin Hollander said earlier in the day that if Gilbert’s bullpen session went well, his next start would likely be with the Mariners. Gilbert, who has been on the injured list since April 26 with a flexor strain in his pitching elbow, completed his third rehab outing with Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday night.

Pop, 28, gives the Mariners an extra bullpen arm for their weekend series against the Guardians.

Pop signed a minor league deal with the Mariners on April 16 after being released by the Toronto Blue Jays earlier that month. He’s spent four seasons in the majors, logging 158 career relief appearances with the Blue Jays and Miami Marlins. He has a 4.45 career ERA in 155 2/3 innings, with 123 strikeouts and 53 walks.

Pop dealt with elbow discomfort in spring training before being released by the Blue Jays. He has since made 11 minor-league appearances in the Mariners’ system, posting a 2.79 ERA with nine strikeouts and five walks in 9 2/3 innings.

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Evans, 24, was recalled from Tacoma on Tuesday and started that night against the Arizona Diamondbacks in place of Bryce Miller, who was placed on the injured list earlier in the day. Evans allowed four runs and seven hits in five innings.

Evans has made seven starts for Seattle this season, sporting a 3.38 ERA with 30 strikeouts and 12 walks in 40 innings.

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