Gerson

Bautista

Bautista was cut loose by the Mariners back in March. The 26-year-old hurler had been pitching in the Mexican League where he posted a 1.99 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 27/7 K/BB ratio over 22 2/3 innings. He’ll add organizational bullpen depth for the Giants.

Bautista re-upped with the M’s on a minor league deal over the offseason after being removed from their 40-man roster, but he didn’t make it through spring training. The 25-year-old has a big arm but has struggled mightily to throw strikes. In 5 1/3 innings this spring, he’s walked six and struck out zero.

Bautista was removed from the Mariners’ 40-man roster in late October after allowing 11 runs on 13 hits and nine walks over just nine innings of work in 2020. The 25-year-old holds a career 11.48 ERA in the majors.

The right-hander finished the 2020 season on the injured list with a right elbow injury, though he’s expected to be fully healthy for the start of spring training. Bautista posted a cringe-inducing 11.00 ERA, 2.44 WHIP and 7/9 K/BB ratio over nine innings with the Mariners during the 2020 campaign.

Bautista is done for the season after suffering a flexor mass strain in his right elbow during the second week of summer camp workouts. He’ll aim to be fully healthy leading into 2021.

Bautista left an intrasquad game on Saturday with the injury. The good news is that the hard-throwing right-hander won’t require surgery, but he’s going to be sidelined indefinitely. Given the short season, odds could be against him contributing this season.

According to Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times, Bautista followed up a 101-mph pitch with a 94-mph offering and got a visit from the trainer. He was lifted and it looked like he pointed at his elbow on the way out. Bautista is vying for a spot in the Mariners pen.

Bautista was lit up for three earned runs on five hits in a two-inning relief appearance with the Mariners on Saturday. It was his first appearance at the major league level since June.

Bautista has allowed 14 earned runs in 11 1/3 career major league innings, but the Mariners are desperate for fresh bullpen arms after dealing away Roenis Elias and Hunter Strickland before Wednesday’s trade deadline.

Bautista has been awful since returning earlier this month from a pectoral injury, posting a 10.29 ERA in seven appearances. He’ll try to get straightened out at Tacoma.