SEATTLE -- Reliever Dan Altavilla was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Friday by the Mariners as the club continued shuffling its bullpen crew, with fellow right-hander Tayler Scott optioned back to Tacoma after starting Thursday’s 5-2 win over the Orioles.

Altavilla was expected to be one of the Mariners’ primary relievers this year, but he struggled early and wound up getting demoted to Double-A Arkansas to get things squared away.

The hard-throwing Pennsylvania native said “taking a step back and relaxing” helped clear his mind and he simplified his delivery and got back to being himself after trying too hard to impress in his previous opportunities.

“The biggest takeaway is baseball is extremely hard,” he said. “You go through times where you have to make adjustments and I learned firsthand that I had to make those adjustments and getting through that step was huge for me, mentally and physically. I’m feeling really good and working my way back. I’m really happy to be here and excited for what’s next.”

This is the third time Altavilla has been called up this season. He appeared in two games in his previous stints, allowing three earned runs in two-thirds of an inning. He went 3-0 with four saves and a 1.10 ERA in 14 games with Arkansas and was 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA -- allowing two runs in 3 1/3 innings -- in three games since returning to Tacoma.

Over parts of four seasons with the Mariners, the 26-year-old Altavilla is 4-3 with a 3.59 ERA in 80 relief outings and he posted a 2.61 ERA in 22 games last season.

“He’s been throwing the ball pretty well at the Minor League level,” manager Scott Servais said. “He certainly was rolling along at Double-A when we sent him back there. The reports were good. We all know Danny has a really good arm, it’s just commanding his stuff and staying ahead of hitters will be the key for him.”

The Mariners have already used 33 pitchers this season, six more than any other team in the Majors.

Scott filled the opener role for a second time Thursday, but was pulled after walking the bases loaded with two outs. The 27-year-old was charged with two runs when Wade LeBlanc gave up a single before retiring the side and then going on to pitch 6 1/3 scoreless frames.

Scott, who became the first South African to pitch in the Majors when he debuted with the Mariners on June 8, also allowed two runs while getting only two outs in his previous shot as an opener in a 6-4 loss to the Royals on Monday.

Scott appeared in five games in his two-week stint with the Mariners, including three relief outings, and posted a 9.39 ERA with six walks and seven strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings. He was 3-2 with a 5.88 ERA and one save in 33 2/3 innings in 19 relief outings with Tacoma prior to his promotion.