SEATTLE -- The Mariners had little choice but to option Guillermo Heredia to Triple-A Tacoma after using eight pitchers in a 15-inning 6-5 win over the Tigers on Tuesday night, but manager Scott Servais promised the rookie outfielder would be back.
"I really like what I saw from Heredia," Servais said. "I think he's a Major League player now and certainly will play into our future."
The Mariners sent Heredia down in a series of roster moves designed to give their bullpen more depth. The team selected right-handed pitcher Jarrett Grube from Tacoma and designated for assignment infielder Luis Sardiñas, who was optioned to Triple-A on Sunday, to open a spot on the 40-man roster.
Heredia hit .280 with the Mariners since his Major League debut on July 29. Since he recorded his first big league hit on Aug. 2, he batted .350. The right-handed batter went 3-for-7 in the leadoff spot on Tuesday.
"Believe me, I was trying to hold off as long as I could," Servais said. "I think it's a nice fit on our team defensively, especially starting against left-handed pitching."
The Mariners were carrying 11 pitchers, rather than the usual 12, in order to keep an extra position player. But that wasn't possible anymore after going through the entire bullpen and turning to Aríel Miranda, who is Friday's scheduled starter, on Tuesday.
Grube provides Seattle with a fresh arm who can go multiple innings. The right-hander has a 3.97 ERA in 10 appearances for Tacoma, eight of which were starts. He has pitched in the Minor Leagues since 2004, making one Major League appearance in 2014 for the Angels.
"It's a great feeling, obviously," Grube said of returning to the big leagues. "But it's not really about me today. Its more coming up here and trying to help the team, provide some coverage."