The Mariners introduced they’ve designated right-hander Mike Baumann for project. The transfer opens a spot within the bullpen for southpaw Gabe Speier, who’s again from the 15-day injured listing. Baumman is out of choices so Seattle couldn’t ship him down with out taking him off the 40-man roster.
Seattle acquired Baumann from the Orioles for Triple-A catcher Blake Hunt a few months in the past. The O’s had designated him for project regardless of an honest 3.44 earned run common on the time, projecting his middling strikeout and stroll profile to result in regression. That has been the case in Seattle as Baumann allowed 11 runs throughout 16 1/3 innings. He punched out 16 in opposition to eight walks whereas surrendering 4 residence runs. Between the 2 groups, the previous third-round choose now carries a 4.41 ERA over 34 2/3 innings. His 20.8 strikeout proportion, 11 p.c stroll charge and 1.56 homers per 9 are all on the mistaken aspect of league common.
Baumann was a strong piece of Baltimore’s center reduction corps a 12 months in the past. The Jacksonville product labored to a 3.76 ERA with a mean 22.3 p.c strikeout proportion whereas logging 64 2/3 innings. This season hasn’t gone to plan, however he hasn’t misplaced any velocity off a fastball that sits north of 96 mph.
Seattle has 5 days to attempt to commerce Baumann. If the Mariners don’t discover a taker, they’ll place him on waivers. Any claiming crew would wish to put in him instantly into the large league bullpen. Baumann has by no means cleared outright waivers and has lower than three years of MLB service, so he wouldn’t have the flexibility to say no an outright project if he goes unclaimed.
