Injuries & Moves: Stoudt claimed from Reds
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Feb. 17: RHP Levi Stoudt claimed off waivers from Reds; OF Canaan Smith-Njigba designated for assignment
The Mariners brought back a familiar face to the organization when claiming Stoudt and adding him to their 40-man roster. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Stoudt was one of the key prospects that Seattle sent to Cincinnati as part of the blockbuster that netted Luis Castillo at the 2022 Trade Deadline.
Entering that season, Stoudt was the club’s No. 5 prospect by MLB Pipeline in a pitching-heavy farm system, the depth from which allowed the front office to make the big trade for “La Piedra,” who proved to be a huge lift towards the club ending its 20-year playoff drought.
Yet, Stoudt couldn’t find his footing in Cincy. He made his MLB debut last April as part of four total outings (two starts), over which he surrendered 11 earned runs in 10 1/3 innings (9.58 ERA), with eight walks and nine strikeouts. He also struggled at Triple-A, with a 6.23 ERA, 1.664 WHIP and 20 homers surrendered in 82 1/3 innings over 25 outings (19 starts). It led to him being designated for assignment by the Reds on Tuesday, and creating the fit for the return to the organization that drafted him in the third round in 2019.
Feb. 17: RHP Cole Phillips undergoes Tommy John surgery
Seattle’s No. 14 prospect by MLB Pipeline recently underwent the procedure, a source told MLB.com, marking the second of his career after his first in high school in April 2022, just before he was selected in that year’s MLB Draft.
Phillips was the intriguing arm in the two-player return from December’s trade with the Braves that sent Jarred Kelenic, Marco Gonzales and Evan White to Atlanta. The Mariners had considered him among their first-round Draft picks before his first procedure, but he fell to Atlanta in the second round and has yet to throw a pitch in a professional game. He’ll now be out into 2025.
RHP Gregory Santos (right shoulder soreness)
Expected return:Â TBD
Santos’ season with the White Sox ended in late September due to right elbow inflammation, but that’s not what he dealt with when the Mariners officially opened Spring Training. He’d recently experienced soreness in the lat and teres major muscles behind his pitching shoulder when throwing a bullpen session before pitchers and catchers reported. The club will ease the newly acquired reliever into action, with the target of six to eight Cactus League outings. He’s expected to be ready by Opening Day. (Last updated: Feb. 15)
RHP Eduard Bazardo (right shoulder soreness)
Expected return:Â TBD
Bazardo experienced some soreness in a side session prior to arriving for physicals in Arizona and is expected to be sidelined for at least a brief period. He made nine appearances for the Mariners last season after coming over in a Trade Deadline deal with Baltimore and is among the many arms vying for just one or two open spots in the bullpen. (Last updated: Feb. 15)
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