Mariners send rookie standout Logan Evans back to Triple-A

Logan Evans has been a surprising contributor for the Seattle Mariners this season, but the rookie standout has found himself the odd man out a day after his best start in the big leagues.

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The Mariners optioned the 23-year-old right-hander to Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday, making room for right-handed reliever Jackson Kowar to be activated from the 60-day injured list and join the 26-man active roster following recovery from Tommy John surgery.

Evans pitched eight innings of one-run ball Tuesday night in a 9-1 Mariners win over the Washington Nationals. The strong outing improved his season numbers to a 3-1 record with a 2.83 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and .256 opponent batting average.

The demotion of Evans comes days ahead of the expected return of Bryce Miller, who was dealing with elbow inflammation, from the injured list to the Mariners’ rotation.

The Mariners are nearing full health with their starting pitchers for the first time this year, with 2023 All-Star George Kirby (shoulder inflammation) making his season debut last week and 2024 All-Star Logan Gilbert (elbow flexor bundle strain) set to begin a rehab assignment this week with Triple-A Tacoma.

Evans and Emerson Hancock (5.95 ERA, four quality starts) have filled in admirably as Mariners starters this season in place of Kirby, Gilbert and Miller after being called up from Triple-A.

Evans was a 12th-round pick by the Mariners in the 2023 MLB Draft out of the University of Pittsburgh, and he quickly became a prospect to watch much like M’s starter Bryan Woo, who similarly was a later-round draft pick by Seattle with an unheralded college career who excelled in the minor leagues.

For full details on Kowar, click here.

Despite Seattle’s injury woes this year, which has also included long-term injuries to outfielders Luke Raley and Victor Robles, it enters play Wednesday in first place in the AL West with a 30-23 record.

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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