Pryor called up and sent back down on same day
SEATTLE -- The Mariners optioned reliever Stephen Pryor back to Triple-A Tacoma and recalled left-hander Lucas Luetge on Wednesday after Seattle dropped an 8-1 decision to the Twins at Safeco Field.
Making his first big league appearance of the season Wednesday night after being recalled earlier in the day, Pryor allowed one run on one hit and two walks in 1 2/3 innings. He threw 17 of 35 pitches for strikes.
"His outing had nothing to do with it," Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said. "We were going to do it anyway."
The Mariners are recalling Luetge so they'll have an extra pitcher available for Thursday when they have an "all-bullpen" day. Luetge allowed two runs over 2 1/3 innings in three appearances with Seattle this season before getting demoted to Tacoma. In 26 games with the Rainiers, he is 3-1 with a 3.40 ERA.
Pryor's roster spot was created when young right-hander Taijuan Walker was down to Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday so he could continue pitching over the break.
Pryor, 24, is 2-1 with one save and a 4.91 ERA in 21 games for Tacoma after spending most of last season on the disabled list following surgery to repair a torn lat muscle.
Pryor appeared in 33 games with the Mariners from 2012-13 with a 2.97 ERA in 30 1/3 innings while averaging 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings. He worked 7 1/3 scoreless innings over seven relief outings to start the 2013 season before spending the rest of the year on the DL.
"His velocity is coming back, he's a power arm and he's throwing good," McClendon said before Wednesday's game. "He's on the roster and we need a pitcher. So it made sense."
The Mariners were already carrying an extra reliever while going with one less position player since designating outfielder Cole Gillespie for assignment and keeping Brandon Maurer in the bullpen.
Maurer, who likely will be called on for extensive duty in Thursday's bullpen day, welcomes the company.
"We've got nine guys down there," said the 23-year-old said before Wednesday's game. "We have arms. I might end up on the floor tonight, but oh well. I don't mind."