The Mariners made a move prior to Saturday’s game against the Dodgers, reinstating RHP Logan Evans from the 15-day IL. As a corresponding move, RHP Casey Legumina was optioned to the ACL Mariners.
Evans has been on the IL since August 15 with right elbow inflammation. Imaging didn’t show structural damage to the elbow, but he was diagnosed with Valgus Extension Overload, also known as VEO or “pitcher’s elbow,” a pain felt mostly on his extension/follow-through. Evans said he first felt the pain in his outing against Baltimore on the 14th, when he only went four innings against the Orioles, and immediately brought it to the attention of the training staff. The injury was treated with rest and cortisone injections over the end of August, slowly building him back to a throwing progression over the first weeks of September. He made two rehab appearances with the Rainiers, going one inning the first time and 1.1 inning of work the second, and will continue to work out of an abbreviated bullpen role with the big-league club for now.
The Mariners opted to make this move now as Tacoma’s season officially ended this past Wednesday with a loss in the PCL Championships against Las Vegas. “Not the way way wanted it to end,” said Evans, but he did have encouraging words to share about Mariners top prospect Colt Emerson, who joined Tacoma as a late call-up.
“He’s a stud. That kid is a ballplayer,” said Evans, who claims he called Emerson’s first hit in the PCL being a homer before he even stepped into the batter’s box.
To make room for Evans, RHP Casey Legumina was optioned to the ACL Mariners, although that’s a paper move; Legumina was in the clubhouse today and will likely work out with the team over the upcoming bye week.
That bye week schedule: Monday is an off day, Tuesday is a light workout (closed to the public), Wednesday and Thursday are scrimmages (open to media only), and Friday is another light workout.
