Misiewicz activated to bolster bullpen

SEATTLE -- After two doubleheaders in three days, the Mariners added a reinforcement to their bullpen by activating Anthony Misiewicz from the injured list ahead of Friday’s game against the Astros.

Misiewicz had been sidelined for an undisclosed issue since Monday that kept him away from the team, but he has been throwing in the interim. The left-hander should give Seattle some depth after it had to turn to its bullpen for 9 2/3 innings over two doubleheaders in Baltimore in a three-day stretch.

Misiewicz has been one of the Mariners’ best relievers since the start of last season, with a 3.42 ERA and 127 ERA+ over 23 2/3 innings across 25 outings -- including four scoreless appearances to start ’21.

Misiewicz took the roster spot of Erik Swanson, who was optioned back to the alternate training site. Swanson pitched two hitless innings in the finale of Tuesday’s doubleheader.

Also on Friday, James Paxton was transferred to the 60-day injured list in light of his upcoming season-ending surgery, and right-hander Robert Dugger was returned to the alternate site after serving as the 27th man on Thursday.

• How Mariners can proceed with Paxton out

Lewis likely to return against Dodgers

Kyle Lewis could be back in the lineup as soon as Monday against the Dodgers, manager Scott Servais said before the series opener against Houston. The reigning American League Rookie of the Year has been taking outfield practice over the past few days at T-Mobile Park, which should be the final hurdle he needs to clear in his recovery from a deep bone bruise in his right knee.

“He feels good. There's no issues there,” Servais said. “I think, timetable, is it going to be Monday? Tuesday? I'm not quite sure, but I know the goal is to get him in at some point here at home before we head out on the next road trip.”

Lewis hasn’t played since a March 22 Cactus League game. His timing at the plate isn’t a major concern for the club since he’s been taking as many as four at-bats per game in simulated environments over the past week with the alternate training site roster.

Servais said that because this will be Lewis’ first regular-season action, he’ll need to be fully recovered and capable to man center field by the time he returns. But, as the club has been doing with Mitch Haniger, days will be built in for Lewis to DH, and he’ll probably only play four times per week.

In related injury news, left fielder Jake Fraley has not conducted any baseball activities since going on the 10-day IL with a left hamstring strain on April 7. An MRI done nine days ago revealed a more promising prognosis than the club initially feared, but he’s likely another week from beginning a more robust rehab.

Pitching plans

Due to the cross-country travel, multiple rainouts and two doubleheaders in Baltimore, the Mariners have not yet determined their starting pitcher for Sunday. That assignment will go to either Justus Sheffield or Nick Margevicius, but because both pitched in Tuesday’s doubleheader, whoever starts against Houston in the finale will be doing so on four days’ rest.

That might sound like normal rest, but not for those pitching in a six-man rotation. So, Seattle will take the next two days to determine who is in a better spot to start.

“You're looking at that and you also just want to see how guys feel,” Servais said. “Some guys bounce back quicker than others. So that's what we're kind of trying to determine.”