SAN DIEGO – It appears the Mariners have made a decision on Yusei Kikuchi’s next start and what pitcher they will bring up to supplement the innings needed to cover the shortened outing.
Monday afternoon in Albuquerque, Class AAA Tacoma used an opener for its final game of the road trip, starting lefty reliever Matt Tenuta for one inning. Rainiers manager Daren Brown then brought in top prospect Justus Sheffield, who was scheduled to start the game, to pitch in the second inning.
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While the use of opener has become common at the major-league level for various reasons, this usage was likely to prepare Sheffield to do the same thing against the Rangers at T-Mobile Park on Friday, when Kikuchi pitches just one inning for his scheduled start.