Mariners continue to get healthier as Luke Raley returns from IL

Bryce Miller also appears ready to return, which is good timing for the Seattle Mariners with Logan Evans now headed to the injured list.

Friday night was a good one for the Seattle Mariners, who responded well to their disappointing series in Baltimore against the Orioles by beating the New York Mets 11-9 at Citi Field. The game was noteworthy for the M’s setting a franchise record with nine doubles, with the last one coming from the embattled Dylan Moore to end his hitting drought dating back to July 4.

Luke Raley is back for the Mariners

There was also a significant positive off the field, as the Mariners reinstated Luke Raley from the 10-day injured list after recovering from back spasms. This has been a tough year for a player who also previously missed 44 games due to an oblique strain.

As such, it’s no surprise Raley has struggled to get close to the form of last season in his first year with the M’s, when he set career highs with 22 home runs, 58 RBI, 128 OPS+ and a 3.2 WAR. Make no mistake though that he is still an invaluable commodity who can offer cover at first base, but is best served playing in the outfield.

In other announced roster moves southpaw Tayler Saucedo was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma, while Miles Mastrobuoni headed in the other direction. However, the other notable transaction was righty Logan Evans being placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.

Evans has done a fine job for the majority of this year as a fifth starter in the rotation, but had struggled in recent starts including producing a career-high four walks in his most recent outing against the Orioles. Now, he gets a little bit more benefit of the doubt for his dip in form given his elbow issue. (Not that he was being particularly criticized per se.)

Bryce Miller also set to return from injury

In any event Evans’ move to the injured list coincides with Bryce Miller being all but ready to return to the majors, after his second stint out this year due to the same ailment as his teammate. He made his third minor league rehab start on Wednesday night, in Las Vegas for Triple-A Tacoma.

Miller had a fine outing which went 5.2 innings and saw him allow a couple of hits, one walk and two runs off 76 pitches, while also striking out four. One of the most encouraging aspects of his outing was seeing his fastball at one point reach nearly 98 mph.

The Mariners will be hoping this time around the righty can look more like the pitcher who led all team pitchers with a 3.4 WAR last season and also produced a 2.94 ERA along with a 0.976 WHIP. His return will mean the reunion of the M’s ideal starting five, which also includes George Kirby, Bryan Woo, Logan Gilbert and Luis Castillo.

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At least Miller seems to be in a promising position, as noted by Mariners manager Dan Wilson. As per Manny Randhawa of MLB.com, Wilson said:

“I know he’s been feeling good. I think the progress has been what we had hoped, and he’s in a good spot.”

Pending official confirmation that Miller will be reinstated by the Mariners, it appears set up for him to make his return in the last series of this current nine-game road trip, in Philadelphia. This would make for a big challenge, going up against a strong Phillies team which has one of the best home records in the majors.

Photos court​‌esy of Tim Rodgers Photography

What kind of impact do you believe Miller will have this time around? Will he return closer to the form he showed last season for the Mariners? Let us know in the comments section below.