MINNEAPOLIS — The moves are somewhat predictable now given the state of their starting rotation and the pattern that’s emerged this season. If a Mariners long reliever has a heavy workload in a game and won’t be available for three or more days, he’s shuttled back to Class AAA Tacoma and a fresh arm is brought in. This isn’t a new development in baseball. It’s just that the Mariners are having to make the move much more frequently.
After throwing 3 2/3 innings (63 pitches) and giving up six runs on 11 hits in Tuesday night’s 20-7 shellacking, right-hander Casey Lawrence was optioned back to Tacoma.