The Mariners selected the contract of right-hander Joe Wieland from Triple-A Tacoma and started himin Friday night's series opener in Oakland after needing scheduled starter Aríel Miranda for an inning of work in relief in Tuesday's 15-inning victory over the Tigers.
Wieland takes the 25-man roster spot of right-hander Jarrett Grube, who was optioned to Tacoma after Wednesday's game. The 26-year-old is 11-5 with a 5.38 ERA in 22 games, including 20 starts, for the Rainiers this season. He's recorded 93 strikeouts with 31 walks over 103 2/3 innings.
Wieland wasn't on the 40-man roster, so outfielder Daniel Robertson was designated for assignment to clear a spot for him. The Mariners now have 10 days to trade, release or outright the contract of Robertson to the Minors.
"I hope we can keep him in the organization," Mariners manager Scott Servais said Friday. "He's young and athletic."
Wieland has been pitching well of late, with a 10-2 record and 3.67 ERA over 17 games since May 4, including 5-0 with a 2.37 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 30 1/3 innings over his last five outings. He was acquired from the Dodgers on Jan. 12 in a trade for Minor League infielder Erick Mejia.
"Joe's been throwing the ball very well in Triple-A," Servais said. "I think his last five have been outstanding. He's got a longer stretch than that going. We just thought where he was at, give him an opportunity here. "
Wieland has pitched in 11 Major League games, including nine starts, with the Padres and Dodgers over the past three years and posted a 1-5 record and 5.85 ERA. He made two starts for the Dodgers last year, going 0-1 with an 8.31 ERA in 8 2/3 innings. He was 10-5 with a 4.59 ERA in 22 games (21 start) for Triple-A Oklahoma in 2015.
Robertson hit .263 (5-for-19) with a double in nine games with Seattle this season, as well as batting .281 with six home runs, 40 RBIs and 10 stolen bases in 95 games for Tacoma.
Miranda was scheduled for the start after making his debut for Seattle with six innings of two-run ball in a 3-2 loss to the Red Sox last Thursday, but he wound up recording his first Major League victory in relief when the Mariners came back with two runs in the bottom of the 15th against the Tigers on Tuesday after he'd allowed a run in the top of the inning.
Miranda was acquired from the Orioles in a trade for Wade Miley on July 31. He'll be available should lefthander James Paxton, who was struck on his pitching arm by a line drive on Sunday, not be ready by Tuesday or Wednesday.
"It's series to series right now with the starters," Servais said. "I'm still optimistic on Pax and hoping everything goes good there and we can get him in by Tuesday or Wednesday."
Cishek close to rehab stint
Right-hander Steve Cishek, out since Aug. 1 with a left hip injury, was scheduled to throw in the bullpen before Friday's game and then get sent out on a Minor League rehab assignment.
Servais said Edwin Díaz would remain the closer upon Cishek's return.
"My closer is Diaz," Servais said. "Cishek will get plenty of opportunities. I don't care how good you are, you're not going to be perfect, unless you're the guy in Baltimore [Zach Britton]."
Diaz converted his first five save opportunities since taking over the role on Aug. 2. Cishek was 25-of-31 in save situations.