Kikuchi's next start pushed back to Monday

Prior to the start of Saturday’s game, manager Scott Servais announced that left-hander Yusei Kikuchi’s ninth start of the season will be pushed back to give him an extra day of rest because he hasn't felt well the last couple of days. Right-hander Justin Dunn will take the mound for the Mariners in the series finale against the Padres instead.

"Kikuchi was a little bit under the weather for a couple days after his last start, so he is kind of out of rhythm with his throwing program,” Servais said. “He has a very disciplined program he likes to use building up into his start.”

The southpaw is averaging just over six innings per start this season with a 4.32 ERA. While Kikuchi has been a strong presence on the mound, the Seattle offense hasn’t been able to provide much support for him. Kikuchi took his third loss of the season on Monday, when he gave up three earned runs in six innings against the Tigers.

Dunn will make his eighth start of 2021 on four days' rest after he tossed 5 2/3 innings against the Tigers and allowed two earned runs on five hits while striking out a season-high nine batters. He felt good following his last bullpen a couple of days after his outing against the Tigers.

Dunn's pitch count will be set at around 100 pitches Sunday and the Mariners' coaching staff will keep close watch on him.

“Maybe a little bit of a shortened start, try to watch his pitch count,” Servais said. “But he's excited, he's ready to go.”

Dugger, Misiewicz activated

Right-handed pitcher Robert Dugger and left-handed pitcher Anthony Misiewicz were activated ahead of Saturday’s game against the Padres. They landed on the COVID-19 injured list Friday.

Dugger and Misiewicz, along with Drew Steckenrider and Will Vest, were placed on the COVID IL after it was determined they were in close contact with a person with a positive COVID-19 case in the Seattle clubhouse.

"Those guys have received vaccinations, but I don't know if they've had their second shot or where they were at, so they had to be out a day to make sure they were good and that test came back negative,” Servais said. “So, they're good to go and join our club. Again, every situation is a little bit different on the contact tracing and where guys are at, if they've been vaccinated or not.”

Servais confirmed everyone on the Mariners roster and staff was tested Friday and Saturday and the club has not had any more positive test results.

Left-handed pitcher Aaron Fletcher and right-handed pitcher Wyatt Mills were optioned to Triple-A Tacoma to make room for Dugger and Misiewicz.

Roster updates

• RHP Domingo Tapia was traded to the Brewers after the Mariners designated him for assignment on May 17. Tapia had two appearances for Seattle this season before he was optioned to the alternate site May 2. He had a 0.00 ERA in two innings and recorded one strikeout.

• LHP Daniel Zamora was claimed by the Mariners from the Mets and was assigned to Triple-A Tacoma. The lefty was designated for assignment May 21 after he made 33 appearances for the Mets in two seasons with a 4.08 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Zamora last pitched in the Major Leagues in 2019.

• Catcher Jacob Nottingham was claimed off waivers from the Brewers and was added to the active roster. He sported a .214 batting average in 14 at-bats for the Brewers.

• Catcher José Godoy was selected from Triple-A Tacoma and made his Major League debut Friday against the Padres. He went 0-for-1 and worked a walk.

• Catcher Luis Torrens was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday after he posted a .178 batting average in 29 games for Seattle.

"Especially the catcher position, he just shows up nightly and I think that's what we saw recently,” Servais said Friday. “I do believe Luis is a big part of our future here and he will be back to help us, but sometimes, you need to unplug.”

• Right-handed pitcher Brady Lail and infielder José Marmolejos were designated for assignment on Thursday.