SEATTLE -- Looking to add to their starting pitching depth, the Mariners reacquired left-hander Roenis Elias from the Red Sox on Monday in exchange for a player to be named or cash, and they assigned him to Triple-A Tacoma.
Elias has been pitching in relief for Boston's Triple-A Pawtucket affiliate, but the Mariners will build up his pitch count and transition him back to a starting role, general manager Jerry Dipoto said.
Elias started 49 games for the Mariners from 2014-15, but he never found a niche with the Red Sox and was moved to the bullpen this year after an injury-plagued 2017 season. The 29-year-old was 1-0 with one save and a 1.23 ERA in 7 1/3 innings through four games with Pawtucket this season.
"I know he's been here before -- it's a name that has come up in the past," manager Scott Servais said. "He might be able to help us out. I think they're talking about stretching him out and starting him at Tacoma, but we'll see what happens. I think it's a really good arm and a guy that creates some depth if we need it as we go along in the season."
Elias was sidelined much of last season with a strained oblique muscle, and he went 1-6 with a 6.96 ERA in 10 rehab starts over several Minor League levels. He made just one appearance for Boston last year, getting a strikeout and a walk in a 10-4 loss to Toronto on Sept. 4.
Elias pitched in three games for the Red Sox in 2016, making his lone start -- ironically against the Mariners -- on June 17 at Fenway Park and giving up seven hits and seven runs over four innings in an 8-4 loss. He spent most of that season with Pawtucket, going 10-5 with a 3.60 ERA in 21 games, including 19 starts.
The Mariners originally signed Elias as a free agent out of Cuba in 2011. He posted a 3.97 ERA with Seattle from 2014-15 in 51 games (49 starts) before he was dealt to the Red Sox with Carson Smith for Jonathan Aro and Wade Miley in December 2015.