Pitchers shuttle between the Mariners and Triple-A Tacoma on an almost-daily basis. It happened again prior to Friday’s series opener against the Texas Rangers — although with a slight twist.
The Mariners, as expected, optioned right-hander Chase De Jong to to the Rainiers one day after he pitched four innings in a loss at Minnesota. And for the usual reason: They wanted to have a fresh arm available as a long reliever.
Enter lefty Zac Curtis, who returned for the second time this season not from Tacoma but from Double-A Arkansas, where he has a 2.66 ERA in 19 games.