Mariners Ship Out Casey Legumina, Get Back a Former Prospect From Tampa

The Mariners made a smart move Wednesday, turning a roster crunch into an actual asset. Instead of watching Casey Legumina get claimed off waivers and getting nothing in return, Seattle engineered a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays to bring back Ty Cummings, a right-hander who originally came through the organization.

Out With the Old

Legumina, 28, wasn't getting the job done in the early going. Through eight appearances this season, he posted a 4.63 ERA in 11 2/3 innings pitched. On Monday's 6-4 loss to the A's, he allowed three runs on three hits, and that was enough to prompt the move. The Mariners called up Alex Hoppe on Tuesday and designated Legumina for assignment, effectively removing him from the 40-man roster. With no minor league options left, he was never sticking around if Seattle didn't trade him.

A Familiar Face Coming Back

Enter Ty Cummings. The Mariners drafted him in the seventh round back in 2023 out of Campbell University. He spent time with High-A Everett in 2024, where he made 25 starts with a 4-5 record and 4.17 ERA. But here's the thing: the Mariners actually sent him to Tampa on October 4, 2024, as the player to be named later from that July trade that brought Randy Arozarena to Seattle.

In Tampa's system, Cummings got better. In 2025, he made 19 starts and seven relief appearances for Double-A Montgomery, posting a 3.34 ERA in 116 innings pitched with 86 strikeouts and 37 walks. He also threw a start and two relief appearances for Triple-A Durham. The Rays made the call to convert him to a full-time reliever this season, and he's already pitched three times with a 1.69 ERA in 5 1/3 innings.

Back Where He Started

Now Cummings, 23, returns to the Mariners organization. He'll report to Double-A Arkansas and pitch out of the bullpen. It's the same path the Mariners had planned for him originally, so this trade gets them a relief prospect with some recent success under his belt without losing anything in the deal.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.