Mariners option struggling pitcher, call up offseason add

The Seattle Mariners are sending a struggling reliever back to the minor leagues and adding a new face to the clubhouse.

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The Mariners announced Wednesday that they have recalled right-hander Will Klein from Triple-A Tacoma and optioned right-hander Gregory Santos to the Rainiers in a corresponding move.

Additionally, right-hander Casey Lawrence cleared waivers and was assigned to Tacoma.

Klein, 25, was acquired from the Athletics in exchange for international slot money in January. The right-hander pitched eight games with the Athletics and Royals last season, posting an 11.05 ERA and 2.45 WHIP with seven strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings. He made his MLB debut with Kansas City last April.

In seven appearances with Tacoma this season, he had a 12.79 ERA and 2.37 WHIP with 13 strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings. Klein posted four scoreless outings, but allowed nine runs in his remaining three.

A fifth-round pick by Kansas City in 2020, Klein features a four-seam fastball in the mid-to-upper 90s with a curveball and slider.

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Santos, 25, is heading to the minors after a rough start to 2025. The hard-throwing right-hander surrendered two runs on one hit and three walks over one-third of an inning in Tuesday’s 8-4 loss to Cincinnati. He allowed at least one run in each of his three previous outings.

In eight total appearances this season, Santos has a 1-1 record with a 5.14 ERA, 2.29 WHIP, no strikeouts and eight walks over seven innings. He had never gone more than two games without a strikeout over 73 big league outings entering this season.

Lawrence, 37, was designated for assignment on Monday. He picked up a win while allowing two runs over three innings in his only appearance with the M’s this year.

The Mariners continue a three-game series against Cincinnati on Wednesday at 3:40 p.m., with radio coverage starting at 2:30 on Seattle Sports with the pregame show. Right-hander Bryce Miller (0-2 record, 4.50 ERA) is slated to face Reds right-hander Nick Martinez (0-2, 6.06).

Here are the lineups for Wednesday’s game.

Bryce gets the nod for Game 2️⃣ in Cincinnati 🤠 #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/S8his4zykM

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 16, 2025

Thrilled to announce that the Cincinnati Reds play another game of baseball tonight.

Powered by @PNCBank pic.twitter.com/6NYVQqvFKP

— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) April 16, 2025

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