One of the Seattle Mariners’ top pitching prospects is set to make his major league debut.
The Mariners selected the contract of right-hander Logan Evans from Triple-A Tacoma to make the start for Sunday afternoon’s series finale against the Miami Marlins at T-Mobile Park. Left-handed reliever Tayler Saucedo was optioned to Tacoma in a corresponding move.
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Evans, 23, is the 10th-ranked prospect in Seattle’s farm system, according to MLB Pipeline. The 6-foot-4 right-hander was a 12th-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.
Evans has been a quick riser in the organization. After making brief stops with the M’s Rookie League and Single-A affiliates in 2023, he skipped High-A and moved straight to Double-A Arkansas last season. In 32 games (22 starts with the Travelers), Evans went 9-5 with a 3.20 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 98 strikeouts over 107 innings pitched.
While with Arkansas, the Mariners experimented with moving Evans to the bullpen in hopes he could help the big league club last season, but he ended up moving back to a starting role.
In five games with Tacoma this year, Evans is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 23 strikeouts over 25 2/3 innings.
The M’s are calling Evans up after ace Logan Gilbert was placed on the 15-day injured list with Grade 1 flexor strain in his right elbow Saturday. Gilbert left his start Friday against Miami after throwing just 29 pitches in three scoreless innings.
The starting staff is also without right-hander George Kirby, who was shut down during spring training with right shoulder inflammation. Kirby threw a bullpen at T-Mobile Park on Friday. General manager Justin Hollander said the hope is Kirby can throw a live batting practice during the M’s homestand, which ends Wednesday. But not timetable has been given yet for his return to major league action.
Saucedo, 31, was called up Saturday and pitched a scoreless inning during Seattle’s 14-0 win over the Marlins. A product of Maple Valley’s Tahoma High School, Saucedo has a 9.82 ERA (four runs allowed over 3 2/3 innings) in four big league appearances this season. He has a 3.80 ERA in 90 innings pitched since joining the Mariners in 2023.
The M’s 40-man roster is full with the addition of Evans.
The Mariners wrap up a three-game series with Miami at 1:10 p.m. on Sunday. Radio coverage can be heard on Seattle Sports 710 AM or the Seattle Sports app.
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