Vargas Down, Wilcox Up: Mariners Make Roster Move Before Opening Day Push
The Seattle Mariners made a couple of moves Friday that could shake up their bullpen heading into the season. Right-handed pitcher Carlos Vargas hit the 15-day injured list with a right lat strain, and the team recalled right-handed pitcher Cole Wilcox from Triple-A Tacoma to take his spot. It is not ideal timing when you are trying to build momentum, but manager Dan Wilson and the crew are moving forward.
Vargas Sidelined After Feeling Something Off
The 26-year-old Vargas did not appear in Thursday's game against Cleveland, and for good reason. The third-year reliever informed the team that something felt off with his lat, and the Mariners are taking the cautious approach. "We don't really know too much more about it for a couple of days as we're assessing it," Wilson told reporters. "But, obviously tough. Injuries are always tough. And so, we'll just hope for the best."
Vargas broke camp with the team out of spring training after a solid 2025 season where he went 5-5 with a 3.97 ERA. Last year, he appeared in 70 games in relief, which only trailed teammates Gabe Speier and Eduard Bazardo. Losing that workload in the bullpen is a hit, even if it is just for two weeks.
Wilcox Gets His Shot in Seattle
Enter Wilcox, the 26-year-old arm the Mariners acquired from Tampa Bay in November for cash considerations. He made his major league debut with the Rays last season and saw limited action, giving up three earned runs in just one inning. Now he gets another chance with Seattle, and he is embracing the mindset shift. "It's like, 'OK, just going out ready to compete now' instead of trying to get everything under your belt," Wilcox told The Associated Press. "It's there, so now you just worry about trying to get outs."
Wilcox is a sinker-slider guy, throwing a high-90s sinker and a slider that sits in the high 80s. In spring training cactus league games, he posted a 4.32 ERA across 8⅓ innings with 11 strikeouts and four walks. The Mariners got a good look at what he brings during camp.
Seattle beat Cleveland 5-1 in that Thursday matchup, so at least the team is heading into the season with some momentum. Now we will see how Wilcox performs in his new uniform while Vargas heals up.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.