Ryne

Stanek

Stanek could have wound up with the save, but a bad feed from Ty France as Stanek was trying to get to first on a Jake Fraley grounder resulted in an error that prolonged that game. On the play, Stanek made a headfirst dive at Fraley in an attempt to tag him and appeared to get the wind knocked out of him. Stanek then walked the next batter to load the bases and was replaced by Taylor Saucedo. It was Saucedo who wound up the save after Tyler Stephenson flew out to center. Andrés Muñoz had already gotten four outs in the seventh and eighth innings. Muñoz remains the favorite for saves in Seattle, but since manager Scott Servais is very willing to use him in high-leverage situations earlier in games, Stanek has some value in deeper leagues, at least until Matt Brash can return and reestablish himself.

The homer was a solo blast by Michael Busch that cut the Seattle lead to 4-2. Andres Muñoz faced the top Cubs’ hitters in the eighth inning, so it was Stanek who came in to pitch the ninth. The right-hander has picked up two saves on the young year, and with the Mariners using Muñoz in the most high-leverage of situations rather than saving him for the ninth, there’s a good chance the 32-year-old could have a few more this year before all is said and done.

The Mariners had Andrés Muñoz face the heart of the order in the eighth, so Stanek got seven-through-nine in the ninth. Stuff like this will happen from time to time with the Mariners, but Stanek probably isn’t worth adding in fantasy leagues. If things go as hoped, he’ll be pushed from second in line for saves to no higher than fourth when Matt Brash and Gregory Santos return.

Stanek passed his physical, and the deal became official on Sunday. The 32-year-old will earn $4 million but can earn up to $2 million in performance bonuses. The right-hander has been a mainstay in the Astros bullpen, posting a 2.90 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and 196/89 K/BB ratio over 173 2/3 innings (186 appearances) since 2021. He will likely slide into a high-leverage role with Matt Brash (elbow) and Gregory Santos (lat) sidelined with injury.

The deal, which is pending a physical, also includes $2 million in performance bonuses. The 32-year-old righty was a mainstay in the division-rival Astros’ bullpen over the last few years, posting a stellar 2.90 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 196/89 K/BB ratio over 173 2/3 innings (186 appearances) since 2021. He provides the Mariners with some high-leverage insurance with Matt Brash (elbow) and Gregory Santos (lat) potentially on the shelf to open the season.

While Stanek may not be a household name, he has been a consistently strong reliever for a few years now. Over the last three years, he registered a 2.90 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and a 196/89 K/BB ratio over 173 2/3 innings in 186 appearances with the Houston Astros. He would be a tremendous addition to either bullpen, and if the Red Sox are sniffing around then it could be further indication that they’re looking to adding back-end bullpen depth and potential trade away closer Kenley Jansen.

The 32-year-old had been a key cog in the Astros’ bullpen over the last three seasons, posting a combined 2.90 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and a 196/89 K/BB ratio over 173 2/3 innings in 186 appearances during that stretch. He’s one of the top right-handed bullpen arms remaining on the open market, which means that he shouldn’t have trouble landing a lucrative multi-year deal — especially if the Mets are involved.

Stanek spent the final handful of regular-season contests away from the Astros on paternity leave, but is back with the club for Saturday’s Game 1 of the ALDS against the Twins.

The 32-year-old hurler will miss the final weekend of the regular season as he welcomes a new addition to his family. Seth Martinez was recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move to take his place in the Astros’ bullpen on Friday.

Stanek sprained his right ankle when covering first base earlier this month, but he’s ready to rejoin the Astros after making just one minor league rehab appearance. The 32-year-old should move back into his typical late-inning bridge role.