Mariners reinstate Anthony Swarzak from 10-day injured list
Right-handed pitcher David McKay optioned to Triple-A Tacoma
Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto announced today the following roster moves:
-- Anthony Swarzak, RHP, reinstated from 10-day Injured List.
-- David McKay, RHP, optioned to AAA Tacoma (postgame April 1).
Swarzak will be in uniform (#30) and available for tonight’s (7:10 pm PT) game vs. the LA Angels at T-Mobile Park.
Swarzak, 33, was placed on the 10-day Injured List on March 20 (retro to March 17) with a right shoulder impingement. He did not have an official appearance at Spring Training this year. Swarzak made 29 relief appearances with the Mets in 2018, going 0-2 with a 6.15 ERA (18 ER, 26.1 IP) with 31 strikeouts and 14 walks. He averaged 10.59 strikeouts-per-9.0-innings (31 K, 26.1 IP). The 6-foot-4, 215-pound right-hander had 2 stints on the disabled list last season: April 2 (retro to 4/1)-June 4 with a strained left oblique and Aug. 5 (retro to 8/4)-Sept. 8 with right shoulder inflammation.
Swarzak split the 2017 season between the White Sox and Brewers, combining for a record of 6-4 with a 2.33 ERA (20 ER, 77.1 IP) with 91 strikeouts and 22 walks. His 91 strikeouts were 15th-most among Major League relievers in 2017. He averaged 10.59 strikeouts-per-9.0-innings (91 K, 77.1 IP) while posting a 1.03 WHIP (58 H, 22 BB, 77.1 IP).
In parts of 9 Major League seasons with the Twins (2009, 2011-14), Indians (2015), Yankees (2016), White Sox (2017), Brewers (2017) and Mets (2018), Swarzak has compiled a career record of 23-32 with a 4.30 ERA (281 ER, 587.2 IP) with 433 strikeouts and 174 walks in 316 appearances (32 starts). The native of Fort Lauderdale, FL, was originally selected by Minnesota in the 2nd round (61st overall) out of Nova High School (Davie, FL).
McKay, 24, was selected from AAA Tacoma on March 30. He did not appear in a game since being selected. McKay was 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA (2 ER, 6.0 IP) in 6 Spring Training games with 2 walks and 7 strikeouts.
McKay was originally acquired in a minor league trade with Kansas City on March 20, 2018. He pitched at three levels of the Mariners farm system last season, making stops at High-A Modesto (6 G), Triple-A Tacoma (1 G) and Double-A Arkansas.
In 35 relief appearances with Arkansas, he was 5-1 with 1 save and a 2.49 ERA (14 ER, 50.2 IP) with 71 strikeouts and 21 walks. He held opposing batters to a .199 (36x181) average against and struck out at least 1 batter in 32 of 35 appearances.