Roy

Corcoran

Corcoran went 0-1 with a 4.60 ERA in nine games with the Trappers. When healthy he’s an option for the Expos’ bullpen.

Corcoran had an 11.12 ERA in 5 2/3 innings of relief for the Nationals.

According to the story, Morrow approached manager Don Wakamatsu and pitching coach Rick Adair a month ago after he had lost his closer job and told them that he’d changed his mind about being a reliever and now wanted to be a starter again. Larue writes: “Look for the team to bring up Roy Corcoran and assign Morrow to Tacoma, then feel free to watch Morrow start for the Rainiers over the several weeks, at least.” The biggest winner is probably David Aardsma, who no longer has competition for the closer job.

Of manager Don Wakamatsu’s original three preferred closer candidates, only Batista has had a solid spring, posting a 4.38 ERA in 12 1/3 innings. Roy Corcoran is at 7.11, and Mark Lowe has a 6.55 ERA with 21 hits allowed and just two strikeouts in 11 innings. David Aardsma has been the Mariners’ most impressive reliever and Tyler Walker has pitched well enough to make the team, but Batista seems like the logical choice to open the season as the closer.

For celebration purposes, we can only assume. Tyler Walker, Mark Lowe, Randy Messenger, Roy Corcoran and Miguel Batista are in the running, and there really isn’t a clear favorite. Wakamatsu might be better off using a committee until Chad Cordero is healthy, but that won’t satisfy fantasy owners. We’ll keep you posted.

Corcoran has been able to play catch without issue, so we’re expecting the bullpen session to go off without a hitch. He’s been on the disabled list since late April and is eligible to return at any time.

Corcoran has battled injuries and a lack of control this season. With a 6.16 ERA, a 2.21 WHIP and a 6/17 K/BB ratio, he’s likely to end up at Triple-A Tacoma.

What’s Corcoran got to do to earn some respect? Last season, the 23-year-old had a 1.23 ERA in 58 2/3 IP in the minors and gave up one earned run in 7 1/3 innings for the Expos. He allowed two runs in six innings this spring. Corcoran might not have Chad Cordero’s long-term upside, but he’s at least as deserving of a spot on this year’s roster.

Corcoran will start a rehab assignment at Triple-A Tacoma this weekend. The Mariners want him to use his rehab time to straighten out command issues, so he may not be recalled until later in the month.

Corcoran has shown improvement in bullpen sessions recently and may be nearing the start of a minor league rehab assignment. He has been on the disabled list since April 30 after compiling a 7.27 ERA and 2.54 WHIP in 8 1/3 innings with the M’s.