The suddenly struggling Mariners bullpen received some help when RHP Joaquin Benoit was activated from the 15-day disabled list (right shoulder inflammation). The club optioned RHP Mayckol Guaipe to the AAA Tacoma Rainiers. Benoit was available when Seattle began a three-game series at Baltimore’s Camden Yards Tuesday night.
Benoit, 38, is 1-0 with two holds and a 3.60 ERA with four strikeouts in five relief appearances this season. His placement on the disabled list was retroactive to April 22, the day following his last appearance (April 21 at Cleveland). Benoit was acquired from San Diego last offseason in a three-player trade Nov. 12.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound right-hander is a veteran of 15 MLB seasons with Texas (2001-08), Tampa Bay (2010), Detroit (2011-13), San Diego (2014-15) and Seattle (2016). He has a combined record of 55-42 with 50 saves and a 3.84 ERA. For his career, Benoit has limited opposing hitters to a .223 batting average, including a .213 mark by left-handed hitters.
Guaipe, 25, made five appearances this season allowing eight hits and six runs (four earned) in 7.1 innings (4.91 ERA) after being recalled April 25. Before his recall, Guaipe recorded three saves with a 2.16 ERA with six strikeouts in six games with Tacoma.
LHP Wade Miley (3-2, 4.91) starts Tuesday night’s series opener. Miley opposes RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (2-3, 4.87). The Orioles (23-13) sport the best record in the American League.