Former Illinois closer Joey Gerber is the second former Illini currently in the Majors, after being called up to the Seattle Mariners’ MLB roster Tuesday.
Gerber was invited to the Mariners’ 60-player roster in June and has been working with their Tacoma taxi squad.
Gerber’s time in the pros began when he was drafted in the eighth round by the Mariners in the 2018 draft. That came after tying Illinois’ single season save record, one that was eventually broken by Garrett Acton — who is still awaiting a hopeful call to the MLB.
Gerber joins the Reds’ Tanner Roark as the former Illinois players currently up in the big leagues.