Mariners release lefty Ariel Miranda so he can pursue deal in Japan

The Seattle Mariners have released left-hander Ariel Miranda, who led the team in innings pitched last season when he filled a void left by their major-league record number of injuries.

Miranda showed up on the Mariners’ transactions log Wednesday night as a released pitcher despite a solid season with Triple-A Tacoma. Miranda was 5-0 with a 3.97 ERA in nine starts for the Rainiers with 40 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings.

He also made a spot start for the Mariners against the Houston Astros earlier in the year, allowing one run in five innings with five strikeouts on April 17.

So why release the 29-year-old from Havana, Cuba?

A team source said the move allowed Miranda to leave the country and sign with a team in Japan. Tacoma had him placed on the temporarily inactive list on June 28 after being activated from the disabled list on June 27.

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto confirmed later Thursday that Miranda was released because he wished to pursue a playing opportunity in Japan. Triple-A Tacoma had placed him on the temporarily inactive list on June 28 after being activated from the disabled list on June 27.

The Mariners acquired Miranda in a midseason deal with the Baltimore Orioles in 2016 for left-hander Wade Miley.

He went 8-7 with a 5.12 ERA in 29 starts last season and pitched 160 innings. The Mariners tied a major league record when they used him as one of 40 total pitchers throughout the season because of all their injuries, so Miranda, one of their few healthy throwers, pitched more often than James Paxton (136), Yovanni Gallardo (130 2/3) and Felix Hernandez (86 2/3), who were right behind him in innings.

Compare that to this season. The Mariners aren’t yet to the All-Star break and They have four pitchers who have all thrown at least 100 innings – Mike Leake (111 2/3), Paxton (111 2/3), Marco Gonzales (100 1/3), Hernandez (100 1/3), while Wade LeBlanc has thrown 79 innings since entering the starting rotation in May.

LeBlanc on Tuesday signed a contract extension through 2019 with club options through 2022.

Miranda also went 5-2 with a 3.54 ERA in 10 starts after joining the Mariners in the 2016 season, and was a big reason why the Mariners made a late push for the playoffs.

Injury updates

Felix Hernandez said Thursday that his back felt much more loose than it did heading into his start last week against the Kansas City Royals, when he pitched five innings and 81 pitches after being pulled in precaution of his back injury.

Hernandez felt it tighten while lifting weights on his own between starts when the Mariners were in Baltimore facing the Orioles.

“I think I lifted a little too heavy,” he said. “But I’ll be fine.”

Also, right-hander Erasmo Ramirez threw his second bullpen session on Wednesday afternoon since heading to the disabled list because a strain in his teres major muscle in his right shoulder. He threw 35 pitches and incorporated his changeup. Mariners manager Scott Servais said he was pleased with the results.

Servais said the team expects one more bullpen before Ramirez faces live hitters and then begins a rehab assignment.

On tap

The Mariners begin a three-game home series against the Colorado Rockies with Hernandez (8-6, 5.11 ERA) starting and opposed by right-hander German Marquez (6-8, 5.14 ERA).

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Friday at Safeco Field. It will broadcast on Root Sports and 710-AM radio.

This story was originally published July 5, 2018 at 9:30 AM.