Cole

Wilcox

Wilcox heads back to the minors after posting a pedestrian 5.40 ERA and 15/12 K/BB ratio across 13 1/3 innings over 11 appearances this season.

He’ll take over for Carlos Vargas in a bullpen role for the Mariners. Wilcox was acquired from the Rays in November and had a 4.32 ERA in spring training work with Seattle, striking out 11 in 8 1/3 innings pitched. He’ll likely work in low-leverage situations for the time being.

Pereda will provide some depth behind the plate in Tacoma. Joe performed admirably this spring, and if he doesn’t report to Triple-A, there could be interest in his bat on the open market.

Wilcox was the last of the four players from the Blake Snell trade with the Padres still with the Rays. He made just one major league appearance for the team, giving up seven runs — three earned — in one inning in September. In Triple-A, he showed improved velocity, averaging 95.8 mph with his fastball, and had a 3.70 ERA and a 63/27 K/BB in 58 1/3 innings. He’ll be a long shot to claim a bullpen spot out of spring training.

You’d be excused for not knowing any of these players were even on Tampa Bay’s 40-man roster; the five pitchers combined to throw 6 1/3 innings for the Rays last season and Fairchild was hurt one day after being acquired from the Braves in July. Faedo, who was acquired from the Tigers in February, ended up missing the entire season with shoulder problems after a rehab assignment in July went badly.

Wilcox heads back to the minors after being torched for seven runs — three earned — over one inning of work on Friday against the Red Sox in his big-league debut.

Fun story about Wilcox is that he is the last player remaining on Tampa Bay from the trade that sent Blake Snell to the Padres. Luis Patiño, Blake Hunt, and Francisco Mejía are all off the team, with none of them having a major impact. Wilcox shifted into a bullpen role this season and has a 3.71 ERA and 57/24 K/BB ratio in 51 innings for Triple-A Durham.

It’s a bummer for Wilcox, who was fantastic in 10 Low-A starts this season before getting injured. Acquired from the Padres in the Blake Snell trade, Wilcox is now unlikely to pitch in games until 2023.

Wilcox allowed a pair of hits, and he didn’t walk anyone. It was the first start of the 21-year-old’s professional career, and it comes after the right-hander was dealt in the offseason from San Diego to Tampa Bay in the Blake Snell trade. The 80th pick of the 2021 draft, Wildox has stuff that suggests that could be a steal with a high 90s fastball along with an above-average change and slider to keep hitters honest. Control has been an issue for the right-hander, and some believe that the 6-foot-5 hurler fits better in the bullpen. Tampa Bay will give him a chance to start, however, knowing that the stuff should not have any trouble translating to relief if he cannot.

The Padres just signed Wilcox to a record $3.3 million after taking him in the third round in June’s draft. One way to look at it is that the Rays landed another first-round pick this year. The 21-year-old Wilcox has an electric fastball, but he’s yet to throw a pitch in pro ball and there’s been some difference of opinion about his possible long-term role. Still, he’s an exciting name to follow.