Fansided

Each MLB team’s expected call-ups for roster expansion

By Kyle Franzoni

May 11, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley against the Washington Nationals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 16, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Zunino (3) and Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart (23) watch Zunino
Aug 16, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Zunino (3) and Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart (23) watch Zunino /

Seattle Mariners

Well, things certainly took a turn for the worst in Seattle this season, with the Mariners being perhaps the single biggest disappointment of the 2015 season. After adding Nelson Cruz this winter to help bolster the line-up around Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager, the Mariners again failed to capture their potential and instead have languished in the American League West. That slide cost General Manager Jack Zduriencik his job earlier this week.

However, the show must go on and there is still some baseball to be played in the Northwest, even if it’s not meaningful ball. As such, the Mariners will utilize the season’s final month to evaluate what they have going into 2016, both in veteran talent and trying to figure out if their prospects will finally step forward.

The potential problem the Mariners have is that they’ve already had to dip deep into their farm system in order to supplement an underperforming roster all season. That has left the cupboards relatively bare.

Two familiar faces will likely find themselves back with Seattle when the calendar changes. Mike Zunino, who was just optioned to Triple-A on Friday morning as Zduriencik’s final move as GM, will once again wear a Mariners uniform but his playing time may be limited so that Seattle can get a longer look at John Hicks. Zunino is slowly becoming a big-time bust for the M’s, as he struggled to make consistent contact at the Major League level.

Additionally, lefty James Paxton is on rehab assignment with Tacoma and could be activated once rosters expand. Paxton has been on the disabled list since the end of May after straining a tendon in the middle finger on his pitching hand. However, given that he’s thrown just 35 pitches since May, he’s not likely to see game action in September unless it is a brief bullpen stint. He was 3-3 with a 3.70 ERA at the time of his injury.

Outside of that pair, there should be a number of bullpen arms added as well. Familiar faces like Danny Farquhar and Lucas Luetge could return, as well as prospects Jose Ramirez, Mike Montgomery, and Tyler Olson, although none of truly inspired much confidence in the Majors or Minors this season. The Mariners could also look to add some bench depth with Chris Taylor, Ramon Flores, James Jones, and Stefen Romero.

Next: Marlins

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