Mariners split four-game series versus the Red Sox in Boston

1) What is wrong with Margevicius?

Prior to the beginning of the regular season, we argued that Nick Margevicius was unfortunate to miss out on a spot in the starting rotation. He then got his opportunity anyway, following Paxton’s frustrating season-ending injury.

However, Margevicius did little to prove himself during his first start, which lasted just 3.0 innings. He allowed six hits and six runs — including two earned – as the Mariners went on to lose 7-6 to the Baltimore Orioles.

Things seemed to take a turn for the better in the 24-year-old’s second start, against the Houston Astros. He was dynamite through four innings, as he allowed just one hit and one earned run.

Unfortunately for Margevicius and the M’s, it all then went wrong. He began to have trouble with his command, resulting in a couple of errant pitches.

This resulted in the trainer visiting the mound and removing the southpaw from the game, although Servais played down the situation afterwards. The Mariners’ manager said he was just dealing with fatigue.

Margevicius was given the okay to start on Sunday, leading to the assumption he was okay. This was open to debate though, following a disastrous outing against the Red Sox.

The former San Diego Padre was poor right from his very first pitch, as nothing went right. He gave up a leadoff single, quickly followed by walking the next two hitters.

Margevicius manged to record a strikeout following a visit to the mound from the pitching coach, but then gave up an RBI single. He went on to allow another couple of walks and two more runs, to officially end his day.

The final stat line for the Cleveland, Ohio native was the stuff pitchers have nightmares about. He lasted just 0.1 innings, while officially allowing two hits, four earned runs and four walks.

As a result of the outing, Margevicius now has a poor 8.25 ERA and 1.67 WHIP through 12.0 innings this season. This leads to the question of what is wrong with him?

More specifically, is the 2017 seventh round draft pick dealing with an injury? Servais provided an update to the media following the game:

“[Margevicius] didn’t have a whole lot … After getting looked at by the Doctor, there’s some shoulder fatigue going on and he’s going to get an MRI over in Houston [Monday].”

It will be interesting to discover the outcome of the MRI and if Margevicius will have to miss any playing time. If not, the Mariners will have to decide whether to keep him in the starting rotation or move him to the bullpen.

NEXT: OTHER NOTABLE HIGHLIGHTS