Speier receives 3 game suspension

There was understandably cause for corner when Muñoz left Sunday’s contest against the Nationals with lower back tightness. The 27-year-old closer, who has struggled this season overall, appears to be feeling better. He’ll presumably be available to handle any save chances during a three-game series against the Orioles at T-Mobile Park.

Muñoz was brought in to get some work despite the Mariners trailing by seven runs, and he faced just two batters before exiting with a trainer. The Mariners are calling the 27-year-old day-to-day, but it’s obviously plausible that the team will need to make a roster move if Muñoz is unavailable for the coming few days. Jose Ferrer, Gabe Speier and Eduard Bazardo would likely see the save chances for Seattle.

Speier will resume his role as a bridge to Andres Muñoz, though Jose A. Ferrer is also pitching well enough that Speier probably won’t immediately be in any sort of competition for holds. Speier had a 2.92 ERA and 1.54 WHIP in 12 1/3 innings before hitting the injured list in early May.

Speier didn’t show any signs of rust in this one, needing just nine pitches (eight strikes) to retire the side in order — including a pair of strikeouts. He’ll probably need just one more tune-up there before he’s ready to rejoin the Mariners’ bullpen.

No word yet regarding how much time Speier will miss, but shoulder ailments tend to result in lengthy trips to the injured list. The 31-year-old lefty holds aa strong 2.92 ERA, 1.54 WHIP and 12/5 K/BB ratio across 12 1/3 innings over 15 appearances this season.

Andrés Muñoz struck out the side in a 0-0 game in the ninth. The Mariners then scored three times in the top of the 10th to set Speier up for his first save in 2023 and second in 219 career appearances. Speier had allowed two runs in 2 1/3 innings to start the year, but he’s still one of the better bets for holds in the AL.

Muñoz came in to close out a 6-5 lead in the 10th, but immediately gave up a run on a single to Jacob Wilson. The run was unearned because it was the inherited runner to open the inning, but it still causes him to blow his first save. This could have been worse as Muñoz loaded the bases with nobody out, but pulled off a magic trick by not allowing another run while striking out the side. There’s a good chance he won’t be available for Tuesday’s contest as he needed 28 pitches to get through Monday’s action. That could put Matt Brash or Gabe Speier in position to vulture a save tomorrow.

Speier will give the Mariners an extra left-hander in the bullpen and has been a disappointment with a 5.66 ERA in his 20 2/3 innings. Emerson Hancock heads to Triple-A to make room.

The 29-year-old southpaw has appeared in 26 games for the Mariners this season, posting a disappointing 5.66 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and a 28/12 K/BB ratio over 20 2/3 innings. He’ll continue to function as extra bullpen depth for the Mariners at the Triple-A level.

With Yimi Garcia heading to the injured list on Friday, Speier will get another opportunity to work out of the bullpen at the big-league level. Speier holds a 5.95 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and a 26/12 K/BB ratio over 19 2/3 innings in 25 appearances for the Mariners this season.