Blake

Beavan

He struck out four and didn’t walk a batter in the game. While he’ll never be confused for a dominating starter, Beavan can be useful in fantasy leagues when deployed for his home starts in spacious SafeCo Field. Next week however, he will take on the Rays in Tampa Bay.

Beavan looked like a better bet to have a spot in Seattle’s rotation before the Kevin Millwood signing. He’s still got a shot, but he’ll have to beat out either Millwood or Hector Noesi for the job.

Beavan struck out two in his third Cactus League outing, serving up a solo home run to Nelson Cruz in the process. Fighting to earn a spot in the Mariners’ rotation, Beavan is the owner of a 2.38 ERA and 6/2 K/BB ratio through 11 1/3 spring innings.

The Mariners appeared to be leaning that way after Iwakuma tossed three shutout innings of relief on Tuesday. The 30-year-old right-hander figures to get a look as a starter eventually, but the M’s will begin the year with Felix Hernandez, Jason Vargas, Hector Noesi, Blake Beavan and Kevin Millwood in the rotation.

Beaven is over his recent elbow troubles, but the Mariners want to give him a couple extra days of rest as a precaution. Kevin Millwood will move up a day to start Sunday against the Yankees while Jason Vargas will start Monday’s series opener against the Red Sox.

Beavan suffered the injury when he was hit by a comebacker off the bat of Miguel Cabrera on a double-play ball which ended the third inning. He allowed one run over three innings before being replaced by Hisashi Iwakuma to begin the fourth. It doesn’t sound like anything serious, but the Mariners will likely provide more information on his status after the game.

The lone run that scored came across on an infield single by David Murphy in the second inning. Beavan struck out three and walked one on the night. He’ll attempt to build on the success from this outing against the A’s next time out.

It didn’t matter how well he pitched, as Phil Humber was perfect on the other side of the diamond. Beavan struck out one and walked one in the game. He falls to 1-1 on the season with a respectable 3.26 ERA. He has only struck out eight hitters in his 19 1/3 innings of work on the year though, and isn’t a very attractive option in most fantasy leagues. He’ll take on the Blue Jays in Toronto next week.

Beavan had to leave Monday’s start after three innings when he was drilled on the pitching elbow by a comebacker. He should throw a bullpen session in a couple days, and the Mariners will likely know then if he’ll be ready for Sunday. If he’s not, Hisashi Iwakuma, who pitched three innings in relief of Beavan Monday, would be an option to fill in.

The good news is that he could be ready a day or two after that, and with an off day Thursday, the M’s can just shuffle their rotation around without making a roster move. Kevin Millwood would be pushed up to Sunday, and Jason Vargas could go on regular rest Monday.