Mariners plan to call up reliever Wilhelmsen

HOUSTON -- Major League clubs can expand their rosters on Sunday when the September callups are allowed beyond the normal 25-man rosters, and former closer Tom Wilhelmsen will be one of the players the Mariners bring up in the next few days.

Manager Eric Wedge declined to say what other players will be added, but acknowledged Saturday that Wilhelmsen will rejoin the club despite a rough time with Triple-A Tacoma since his demotion a month ago.

Wilhelmsen is 0-1 with a 10.50 ERA in 12 innings over eight games, allowing 19 hits and 14 runs with 15 strikeouts and five walks. He allowed four hits and four runs while getting only two outs in his last outing before being replaced after throwing 30 pitches.

"I want to get him back up here and see where he's at," Wedge said. "It's not always indicative of what you're seeing down there. A couple years ago was a great example with him. Once he gets back up here and gets comfortable again and we have a good chat with him and break him back in up here, he's not too far removed from having great success up here. We can't forget about that."

Wedge indicated a few players would be called up Sunday, while several others would wait until after Tacoma's season ends on Monday, presumably joining the team Tuesday in Kansas City.

Another player certain to be added is catcher Mike Zunino, who continued his injury rehab assignment Friday by going 1-for-4 with a run scored as the designated hitter in Tacoma's 7-1 win over Sacramento. Zunino, recovering from a broken hamate bone in his left hand, has hit .143 (2-for-14) with four runs, a triple and three walks in four games.

Pitcher Erasmo Ramirez will also rejoin the club in time to make his next scheduled start on Tuesday after being reassigned to Tacoma on Friday in order to make room on the roster for outfielder Abraham Almonte.