The Mariners made the requisite roster moves for Friday night’s shortened start for Yusei Kikuchi, officially recalling top prospect Justus Sheffield from Class AAA Tacoma. To make room on the active roster, Seattle designated reliever Shawn Armstrong for assignment.
As part of a designed throwing program to control his usage and health, Kikuchi will pitch just one inning of his scheduled start vs. the Rangers and then give way to Sheffield, who was called up to “piggyback” off the start. The Mariners wanted to bring up a starter from Tacoma to pitch extended innings after Kikuchi instead of taxing their beleaguered bullpen.