Mariners acquire Matt Wisler from Padres

July 5th, 2019

SEATTLE -- Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto added another bullpen arm on Thursday, acquiring 26-year-old right-hander from the Padres in exchange for cash.

Wisler was designated for assignment by San Diego last week after going 2-2 with a 5.28 ERA in 21 relief appearances. He had 34 strikeouts and 10 walks in 29 innings.

The club designated right-handed reliever Mike Wright to open a spot for Wisler, who will be available for Friday's game when the Mariners open a three-game series with the A’s to close out the first half.

The Mariners have had a revolving door in the bullpen for much of the season as they continue looking for relief help, with 34 pitchers already used in the first 90 games of the season for the most in the Majors.

Wisler was drafted by the Padres in the seventh round in 2011, and he has now been traded four times. He made his MLB debut with the Braves in ‘15 and was dealt to the Reds last year before being re-acquired by the Padres this April.

In parts of five seasons in the Majors, he’s 18-25 with a 5.15 ERA in 106 appearances, including 49 starts. He started 45 games with the Braves in 2015-16 with a 15-21 record and 4.88 ERA, but has pitched strictly in relief with the Reds and Padres since being traded by the Braves last July 30.

Wisler hasn’t pitched since June 23, when he blew a save in the 11th inning in Pittsburgh in his final outing for the Padres, so he might need time to ramp back up. But Mariners manager Scott Servais said that Wisler will likely be used as a multi-inning-type reliever as the Mariners take a look, as they’ve done with numerous relievers this season.

Wisler is earning the MLB minimum of $570,000 this year. He will be arbitration-eligible for the first time next season.

“He’s had a couple decent runs in different spots he’s been in,” Servais said. “He’s bounced around a little, but he’ll add some depth here and we’ll give him an opportunity. Sounds like he’s got a pretty good breaking ball, but I don’t know much about him yet.”

Haniger’s return on slow plan

While  had hoped to return prior to the All-Star break, those plans were scrapped after the outfielder had a setback while trying to push his rehab from a ruptured testicle last week.

Haniger traveled with the team on its last road trip and did some running and swinging in the cage in Milwaukee, but he had to be shut down when the club got to Houston. He was flown back to Seattle two days before the trip ended.

The 28-year-old went to the doctor on Wednesday and was told there was no serious setback, but he needs to back off on the rehab for now until the soreness dissipates.

“We need to be really patient with that one,” Servais said. “It is a serious injury and we need to give him time. Just talking to him a little, his whole groin area is sore, so we need to give it time.

“He’s a competitor and wants to get out there and help the team and be with his teammates. But we have to be smart. Some things are bigger than the game.”

Haniger has been sidelined for four weeks since hitting himself with a foul ball on June 6. He underwent surgery the following day.

Worth noting

• Closer Hunter Strickland came out of a light mound outing with no issues on Wednesday and remains on target to throw a full bullpen session Saturday as he continues working back from a right lat strain that has sidelined him since late March.

• Felix Hernandez, who has been out six weeks with right shoulder issues, is also hopeful of throwing a bullpen session Saturday or Sunday.

• Third baseman Kyle Seager, who has gone 0-for-15 in four games since returning from a right wrist injury, was given the day off on Thursday. Seager has indicated that his wrist is fine, but he’s still trying to get his timing back at the plate.