Seattle Mariners

Felix Hernandez credited with loss

Thu, Sep 21st 9:35am EDT
By Robert Finkelstein

Felix Hernandez (5-5) was tagged with the loss after surrendering six runs (five earned) on two hits and three walks over 3 1/3 innings in Seattle's 8-6 defeat to the Rangers on Wednesday night. He struck out four.

Fantasy Impact: Hernandez pitched a perfect first three innings, but then derailed in the fourth, allowing the first five Rangers to reach base. The veteran right-hander was then pulled from the game after throwing 67 pitches with the bases loaded and one out. Unfortunately for Hernandez, the three inherited runners scored when Andrew Albers, who relieved King Felix, gave up a grand slam to Rougned Odor. This was the second start for Hernandez after coming off his second visit to the disabled list this year due to a sore right shoulder. He will hope to make it beyond the fourth inning, and improve his 4.57 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in his next start, which is scheduled for Monday in Oakland against the Athletics.

Tony Zych likely done for season

Wed, Sep 20th 8:02pm EDT
By Robert Finkelstein

Tony Zych experienced soreness during a bullpen session on Wednesday. (Source: Bob Dutton of The News Tribune on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Zych has been sidelined by a strained flexor bundle in his right elbow which forced him onto the 10-day disabled list on August 22. It was hoped that the 27-year-old right-hander would be able to return for at least one appearance prior to the the October 1 season finale. However, after today's setback, the chance of his return in 2017 is unlikely. If so, Zych will finish the year with a 6-3 record and 12 holds, while recording a respectable 2.66 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 7.7 K/9.

Hisashi Iwakuma to miss rest of year

Wed, Sep 20th 3:45pm EDT
By Robert Finkelstein

Hisashi Iwakuma, who has been trying to recover from a sore shoulder since May, will most likely not pitch again this year. (Source: Bob Dutton of The News Tribune)

Fantasy Impact: Iwakuma has suffered repeated setbacks in his attempt to recover from a sore shoulder that placed him on the disabled list after a May 3 start against the Angels in Seattle. The 36-year-old right-hander was 0-2 with a 4.35 ERA in six starts this season before his injury. “He had a tremendous season last year,” manager Scott Servais said. “Unfortunately, things happen, and he just couldn’t get over the hump with the injury. He has worked his tail off. Nobody has worked harder. He’s tried everything he could to get back. It’s just not happening.” Iwakuma's tenure with Seattle is probably over. The Mariners are expected to exercise a one-million dollar buyout clause, which will make him a free agent.

Nick Vincent tagged with loss

Wed, Sep 20th 12:42pm EDT
By Robert Finkelstein

Nick Vincent (3-3) was credited with the loss while allowing two runs on three hits over one inning in Seattle's 3-1 defeat to the Rangers on Tuesday. He struck out one and walked none.

Fantasy Impact: Vincent has hit a wall in his last three appearances, surrendering six runs on seven hits over 2 2/3 innings, while being saddled with two losses in that stretch. The 31-year-old right-hander, who has been solid throughout the 2017 campaign, saw his ERA rise from 2.10 to 2.87 during his current funk. He still, however, ranks second in the American League with 27 holds, trailing only Taylor Rogers of the Twins. With a fine 1.12 WHIP, look for Vincent to add value down the stretch in leagues that count holds.

Mike Leake credited with quality start

Wed, Sep 20th 11:45am EDT
By Robert Finkelstein

Mike Leake allowed one run on six hits while striking out five and walking none over 6 2/3 innings in Seattle's 3-1 loss to the Rangers on Tuesday. He did not factor into the decision.

Fantasy Impact: Leake has now registered three quality starts in four games since becoming a Mariner via an August 30 trade with the Cardinals. In said time, he is 3-0 while recording a stellar 2.13 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 22/2 K/BB over 25 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old right-hander looks to keep it rolling when he faces the red-hot Indians at Safeco Field on Sunday.

Robinson Cano collects two RBIs in loss

Sun, Sep 17th 12:10pm EDT
By Brendan Tuma

Robinson Cano went 1-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored on Saturday night as the Mariners fell to the Astros 8-6.

Fantasy Impact: While no longer a superstar, Cano is still having a strong 2017 season. For the year he's batting .281 with 21 homers and a .340 OBP. He's finishing the season on a high note, batting .356 so far in September.

Kyle Seager extends hit streak to ten games

Thu, Sep 14th 8:03am EDT
By Jonathan Witt

Kyle Seager was 1-for-4 with a walk, run scored and two RBIs against Texas on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact: Seager has been very productive during his hitting streak, with 10 RBIs and five HRs during the ten game span.

Jean Segura drives in two in win against Texas

Thu, Sep 14th 7:59am EDT
By Jonathan Witt

Jean Segura was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, a HR, walk and two RBIs on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact: This is a good sign for owners, as Segura has been struggling as of late. Despite the struggle, Segura is still a must start in all formats.

Mike Zunino crushes two HRs in win on Wednesday

Thu, Sep 14th 7:57am EDT
By Jonathan Witt

Mike Zunino hit his 22nd and 23rd HRs of the season against Texas on Wednesday. He also had two walks, two runs scored and two RBIs.

Fantasy Impact: Zunino is hot this month, batting .394 with four HRs and seven RBIs. Owners that are battling in the playoffs can start him with confidence.

Andrew Moore slated for start

Tue, Sep 12th 4:21pm EDT
By Robert Finkelstein

Andrew Moore will start Sunday's game against the Astros in Houston in lieu of Ariel Miranda, who was bumped from the rotation. (Source: Greg Johns of MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: After only giving up one run on one hit and one walk, while striking out seven over six innings in a relief role on Monday against Texas, Moore has been immediately inserted back into the rotation. Only last Sunday it was declared that Moore had lost his starting role. "Certainly we'll look at him possibly sliding into the rotation for us in that spot [Miranda's] moving forward," manager Scott Servais said. "He was awesome. I can't say enough about the job he did. He's got plenty left in his tank, which is great to see from a young guy at this time of the year." However, with a 5.36 ERA and 4.8 K/9, fantasy owners should exercise caution before inserting Moore into their lineups.

Ariel Miranda lifted from rotation

Tue, Sep 12th 2:34pm EDT
By Robert Finkelstein

Ariel Miranda was lifted from the rotation, and will not make his once scheduled start on Sunday against the Astros. (Source: Greg Johns of MLB.com)

Fantasy Impact: Miranda imploded on Monday, giving up four runs on six hits and walking three in only 1 2/3 innings. In his last 12 starts, the 27-year-old southpaw posted a troubling 6.71 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 4.1 BB/9 and 2.6 HR/9. "He's running on fumes right now," manager Scott Servais said. "I think that's what we're seeing. I appreciate how he competes and goes out there. There are certain nights he doesn't have it and he didn't have it at all tonight. We'll take a look where he's at in a couple days from now." Miranda, who prior to this season had never thrown more than 101 innings, has already logged 158 in 2017. Thus it is not surprising to see him tiring down the stretch. How Miranda will be utilized, if at all, for the rest of the year is not known at this time. For now, Andrew Moore will take over Miranda's spot in the rotation.

Mitch Haniger hits long ball

Tue, Sep 12th 11:06am EDT
By Robert Finkelstein

Mitch Haniger went 3-for-4, including a double and a two-run homer in Seattle's 5-3 loss against the Rangers on Monday. He also scored once.

Fantasy Impact: Haniger is swinging a sizzling stick, slashing a phenomenal .489/.489/.889 with four home runs, 11RBIs and eight runs scored over his past 11 games. Subsequently, the rookie outfielder has seen his batting average rise from .240 to .278 in that span. Haniger missed 66 games this campaign due mainly to injury, but has still produced 12 home runs, 41 RBIs and 47 runs scored. The Hanimal's ceiling remains high as long as he can stay healthy.

Jarrod Dyson to undergo surgery

Mon, Sep 11th 8:36pm EDT
By Robert Finkelstein

Jarrod Dyson elected to have surgery to repair a groin injury, and will miss the rest of the season. (Source: Ryan Dovish of the Seattle Times )

Fantasy Impact: On Monday, manager Scott Servais confirmed that Dyson did not make the team's trip to Texas, but opted to have surgery to repair a "core muscle injury." The procedure is considered minor, but nevertheless the 33-year-old outfielder will miss the remainder of the season. Dyson finishes the year after slashing .251/.324/.350 with five home runs, 30 RBIs, 56 runs scored and 28 stolen bases. A free agent after the season, Dyson has declared he will test the open market.

Yonder Alonso is not in lineup

Mon, Sep 11th 8:13pm EDT
By Robert Finkelstein

Yonder Alonso is not the lineup for Seattle's game against the Rangers on Monday. (Source: Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Alonso will head to the bench with southpaw Cole Hamels on the hill for Texas. He will get to clear his head after going 0-for-12 in his last three games. Danny Valencia will take his place at first base and bat sixth.

Zac Curtis claimed off waivers

Mon, Sep 11th 4:05pm EDT
By Robert Finkelstein

Zac Curtis was claimed off waivers by Philadelphia on Monday. (Source: Bob Dutton of The News Tribune on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Curtis was designated for assignment by the Mariners on September 4. The Phillies evidently liked what they saw in the 25-year-old southpaw to claim him off of waivers. He made appearances in three big-league games this year for Seattle, all in relief, giving up three unearned runs on three hits (one for a homer), two strikeouts, one walk, two hit-by-pitch, and two wild pitches over 4 2/3 innings. His main body of work was performed at Double-A Arkansas, where he posted a 3.51 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and an eye-opening 60/19 K/BB over 51 1/3 innings. He will likely have a role in the bullpen, and pitch in low-leverage situations as the season winds to close.

Erasmo Ramirez involved in no-decision

Sun, Sep 10th 8:08pm EDT
By Robert Finkelstein

Erasmo Ramirez allowed two runs on five hits, while striking out seven and walking none over 6 2/3 innings in Seattle's 5-3 loss to the Angels on Sunday. He did not factor into the decision.

Fantasy Impact: Ramirez has now pitched six straight quality starts. His only damage Sunday came on two solo shots, one by Mike Trout in the first inning, and another by Luis Valbuena in the seventh. The 27-year-old right-hander has been a solid part of the Mariner rotation since coming over from Tampa Bay via a trade on July 28. He has lowered his season's ERA from 4.80 to 4.35 since the trade, and sports a very good 1.16 WHIP. Ramirez next start is scheduled on Saturday against the Astros in Houston.

James Paxton to be activated from DL

Sun, Sep 10th 4:48pm EDT
By Robert Finkelstein

James Paxton will be activated from the disabled list, and is scheduled to start against the Astros in Houston on Friday. (Source: Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Paxton, who was placed on the disabled list on August 10 because of a left pectoral strain, has been rehabbing successfully performing bullpen sessions and simulated games. The 28-year-old left-hander was having a superb year prior to being sidelined, posting a 12-3 record with a 2.78 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. Paxton will be facing a formidable Houston offense, so fantasy owners should determine their needs before immediately inserting him into their lineups.

Nelson Cruz hits homer

Sun, Sep 10th 12:49pm EDT
By Robert Finkelstein

Nelson Cruz drilled a Jesse Chavez slider over the left-center field wall for a three-run homer in Seattle's 8-1 win over the Angels on Saturday. He finished the night going 1-for-4.

Fantasy Impact: Cruz has a moderate six-game hitting streak, going 7-for-21 in that span. The veteran slugger, however, has been on a power outage of late. Prior to last night's game, he had only one homer and four RBIs in his last sixteen contests. Yet Cruz has recorded a very respectable .284 AVG, 32 HR, 107 RBI (which leads the American League) and 75 runs for the year, which makes him one of the elite set-and-forget players for fantasy GM's in all seasonal formats.

Andrew Albers earns win

Sun, Sep 10th 11:07am EDT
By Robert Finkelstein

Andrew Albers (4-1) spun six scoreless innings, allowing four hits and one walk, to earn the win in Seattle's 8-1 victory over the Angels on Saturday. He also struck out four.

Fantasy Impact: Albers has now thrown two straight quality starts, allowing only one earned-run in 12 innings. He has fared well since joining the Seattle rotation, recording a 2.67 ERA and 1.26 WHIP over 27 innings in five starts. Yet fantasy GM's should be aware; Albers pedestrian 6.7 K/9, 4.52 xFIP and 87 mph fastball do call for a period of negative regression. In addition, with Felix Hernandez and James Paxton both expected to return this week, his spot in the rotation at this time is uncertain.

Ben Gamel is out of lineup

Sat, Sep 9th 7:22pm EDT
By Robert Finkelstein

Ben Gamel is out of the lineup for Seattle's game against the Angels on Saturday. (Source: MarinersPR on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Gamel will head to the bench as Seattle will deploy a right-heavy lineup against southpaw Andrew Heaney. The 25-year-old outfielder went 2-for-4 last evening with a three-run homer, his most productive game in weeks. Taylor Motter will take Gamel's place in left field and bat ninth.