Mariners sign right-handed pitcher Matt Andriese

The Mariners announced they’ve signed right-hander Matt Andriese to a major league contract. Robert Dugger has been designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

Andriese signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox over the offseason. He’d spent the entire season as a multi-inning relief option in Boston, tossing 37 1/3 frames over 26 appearances. Andriese started the season well, pitching to a 1.42 ERA with an impressive 11:3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 12 2/3 April innings. Things went south pretty shortly after the calendar flipped to May, though, and Andriese allowed at least one run in seven of his eight appearances leading up to an injured list placement on July 10.

After missing more than six weeks with right hamstring tendinitis, Andriese is seemingly near or ready for a return. He made three rehab appearances with Boston's top affiliate in Worcester between August 8 and 14 but was designated for assignment on Tuesday. Boston released him thereafter, but he’s found a new home in relatively short order.

Overall, Andriese pitched to a 6.03 ERA with the Red Sox. His 21.5% strikeout rate is a few points below the league average (24.3%) for relievers, as is his 8.8% swinging strike rate (11.7% league average). Andriese is a better strike-thrower than most bullpen arms, though, and he’s walked just 6.2% of opponents this season. His numbers in Boston were marred by opponents’ .407 batting average on balls in play, and the Mariners will see if more batted balls finding defenders’ gloves can allow Andriese to yet settle in as a decent long relief option for manager Scott Servais.

Dugger will find himself on waivers in the coming days. The right-hander began his career as a Mariners draftee but was shipped to the Marlins in the 2017 Dee Strange-Gordon deal. He reached the big leagues with Miami in 2019 and spent the following season there before Seattle claimed him off waivers this past offseason. The Mariners passed him through outright waivers not long after but re-selected him to the roster in April.

Over the past three years, Dugger has worked 70 2/3 innings of 7.39 ERA ball at the big league level. He’s only punched out 14.4% of opposing hitters in the majors and has been tagged for a 7.30 ERA this year with Triple-A Tacoma. Needless to say, he’s had a rough go of things in 2021, but Dugger posted fantastic numbers up through Double-A and appeared at the back half of Miami’s top 30 prospects list at Baseball America between 2018-20. Because he’s already been outrighted in his career, Dugger would have the right to elect free agency if he again clears waivers.