Mariners DFA Legumina, call up Alex Hoppe for 'pen depth

SEATTLE -- A Mariners bullpen that’s absorbed a few blows on this homestand has added a reinforcement.

Right-hander Alex Hoppe was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma ahead of Tuesday’s game vs. the Athletics, and righty Casey Legumina designated for assignment as the corresponding move.

Legumina surrendered three tiebreaking runs during the eighth inning of Monday’s 6-4 loss, called upon in a leverage pocket that likely would’ve gone to someone else had Seattle’s bullpen been at full strength.

Gabe Speier had pitched on consecutive days, and while Eduard Bazardo was seen warming, it became clear that the prospect of him pitching in what would’ve been three of the past four games was only going to be with a lead. Andrés Muñoz was also down after locking down saves on Saturday and Sunday.

"We were a little bit thin tonight,” Wilson said postgame, “and those are really tough decisions when you're trying to hold people back so that you're not going to overuse them. And we had to use several guys in the series prior. So, like we've said before, you have to put all that into consideration and make the best decision you can."

Because Hoppe was already on the 40-man roster -- which was at capacity -- DFA’ing Legumina trimmed that group to 39.

When Hoppe gets into a game, the 27-year-old will be making his MLB debut.

Hoppe was off to a solid start at Tacoma, going scoreless over his first eight outings while going 4-for-4 in save attempts. He’s given up just four hits and three walks among 30 batters faced, with 12 strikeouts. He also threw an immaculate inning on April 7 at Sugar Land.

The biggest factor in his success, to perhaps no surprise, given the Mariners’ organizational philosophy?

“It's pretty much just being in the zone,” Hoppe said. “My stuff is good enough to play at this level. We've known that. But it's like, how often, how consistent can I be in that box?”

Hoppe added a two-seam fastball in Spring Training, but he’s primarily operated with a four-seam and slider combination. And it’s a big heater that’s averaged 97.6 mph, which would trail only Muñoz (98.6 mph) among Mariners relievers. The slider sits in the mid-80s and might be the better weapon, as that pitch has held hitters to a .071 batting average and generated a 45.2% whiff rate.

How his stuff translates to the big league level will be the obvious question mark. But if he succeeds, Hoppe could be the latest unheralded arm that becomes a contributor.

He also has a full allotment of Minor League options, which could make him an up-and-down guy if the Mariners need someone else in a pinch. That did not apply to Legumina, whom the Mariners now have one week to trade or place on outright or unconditional release waivers.

Legumina’s lack of Minors options was a factor in him making the team out of camp. Because he doesn’t have a previous career outright and fewer than three years of service time, he does not have the option to elect free agency. He had a 4.63 ERA with three walks and nine strikeouts over 11 2/3 innings this year.

Hoppe joined the organization in a Nov. 18 trade with Boston, in exchange for Minors catcher Luke Heyman. Originally a sixth-round Draft pick by the Red Sox in 2022, Hoppe pitched in parts of three seasons in their organization, with a 4.55 ERA, 91 walks and 215 strikeouts over 131 appearances.