The Mariners agreed to a minor league contract with right-handed reliever Luke Barker, Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports. The Gaeta Sports activities consumer will head to Triple-A Tacoma.
Barker, 32, made three appearances for the Brewers in 2022 — his lone MLB expertise to this point. The proper-hander was undrafted out of Division-II Chico State College in California again in 2015 however parlayed a dominant exhibiting within the unbiased Frontier League right into a minor league look with the Brewers group. He spent the subsequent six seasons within the Brewers system, working towards that ’22 debut.
Whereas Barker was tagged for 5 runs in 4 innings throughout his MLB cup of espresso, his minor league observe document is excellent. In 261 2/3 minor league innings, the righty carries a 2.38 ERA, 27.6% strikeout fee and 6.4% stroll fee. That features three seasons of Triple-A piece — a complete of 116 1/3 frames with a 2.32 earned run common, a good higher 30.4% strikeout fee and a 6% stroll fee. Barker doesn’t throw exhausting, averaging simply 91 mph on his heater throughout his transient MLB look, however he’s routinely posted swinging-strike charges north of 14% within the higher minors.
Barker didn’t pitch in 2023. He spent the season rehabbing from Tommy John surgical procedure after struggling a UCL tear late within the 2022 marketing campaign. He’ll now be a part of simply the second group of his profession.
The Mariners aren’t brief on proficient relievers, although two of their greatest are at present on the 15-day injured record: righties Matt Brash and Gregory Santos. Brash was slowed by a bout of elbow irritation throughout spring coaching, whereas Santos suffered a lat pressure late in camp. Neither has pitched within the large leagues or on a minor league rehab project thus far this season. Barker will give the M’s some extra depth within the higher minors. Seattle has a current observe document of placing gold on unheralded bullpen acquisitions — Paul Sewald, Drew Steckenrider, Justin Topa, Gabe Speier, Tayler Saucedo amongst them — and Barker will hope so as to add his title to the record.
