**ANAHEIM, Calif.** – While several teams opted to energize their fanbases by calling up young prospects, the Mariners focused on addressing their immediate needs. Seattle recalled left-handed pitcher Jhonathan Diaz and right-hander Eduard Bazardo from Class AAA Tacoma to fill the two extra roster spots available for September. “I’m excited to have these guys back,” said manager Dan Wilson. “Having more bullpen options is always beneficial. It gives us more flexibility to mix and match down there.”
Diaz, 27, has spent most of the season with the Rainiers, posting a 9-3 record with a 4.36 ERA in 22 starts and one relief appearance. In his brief time with the Mariners this year, he’s made two relief appearances and one start, recording an 0-1 record with a 7.11 ERA.
As a regular starter, Diaz provides the Mariners with added length in the bullpen. Bazardo, 29, has frequently moved between Seattle and Tacoma this season and pitched a scoreless inning in Sunday’s loss. In 14 appearances with the Mariners, he has a 1-0 record and a 6.27 ERA, striking out 23 with eight walks in 17 2/3 innings. The Mariners plan to adjust their roster throughout the season’s final month, focusing on immediate needs. “It’s a day-to-day approach,” Wilson noted. “Injuries can change things, so we’ll continue to assess and explore different options.”
**August Recap**
The Mariners ended August with a 12-14 record, scoring 111 runs while allowing 107. Their 4.26 runs per game ranked 26th in MLB, and they hit an MLB-worst .207 with only 172 hits. The Angels had the next fewest hits at 194. Seattle also had a .342 slugging percentage, the second-lowest in MLB.
Despite some struggles, the Mariners struck out 266 times, which was the seventh-most in the league. Seattle’s position players posted a 2.4 WAR in August, while the Diamondbacks led MLB with a 7.8 WAR. The Mariners’ starting pitchers recorded a 3.60 ERA over 152 2/3 innings, ranking sixth lowest, while the bullpen posted a 4.13 ERA over 76 1/3 innings. Overall, Seattle’s pitching staff combined for a 1.4 WAR, whereas the Astros led with a 5.5 WAR.
Shortstop J.P. Crawford was out of the starting lineup on Sunday for a planned rest day after being hit on the shoulder by a 95-mph fastball from Jose Quijada on Saturday. Although the impact left a visible bruise, Wilson confirmed the rest day was preplanned as Crawford recovers from a fractured hand.
Catcher Cal Raleigh suffered multiple cuts on his index finger after falling into the netting behind home plate while attempting to catch a foul ball. Raleigh tripped on the concrete ledge near the stands, and his fingers got tangled in the netting, but he doesn’t expect to need stitches and plans to return to the lineup on Monday in Oakland.
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