The Seattle Mariners could be adjusting their rotation following news that No. 4 starter Drew Smyly has been scratched from his final Cactus League start.
Manager Scott Servais told reporters, including Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times, that the left-hander was dealing with a "soggy" arm and would be shut down from throwing for a few days.
If Smyly is not ready for his scheduled start next Thursday in Houston, the likely beneficiary would be Ariel Miranda, who was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma last week.
The 28-year-old Miranda was acquired from the Orioles last July in a trade for Wade Miley and was 5-2 with a 3.54 ERA and a 1.089 WHIP in 11 appearances for Seattle. The native of Cuba had a 6.14 ERA in 14 2/3 Cactus League innings this spring.
Divish calls Miranda the "most likely candidate" for a rotation spot and adds right-hander Chris Heston and lefty Dillon Overton as other possibilities.
The Mariners have every reason to be cautious with Smyly, who has made four career trips to the disabled list. Smyly pitched for the United States in the World Baseball Classic and had a strong start against Venezuela on March 15, striking out eight in 4 2/3 innings. But the 27-year-old has struggled since his return to the Mariners, allowing three home runs against the Reds on Sunday.
- Doug Mittler
