Tuivailala (shoulder) cleared release waivers and became a free agent Monday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Tuivailala was dealing with a right shoulder injury during spring training, and he was placed on unconditional release waivers Friday. The 27-year-old recorded a 2.81 ERA with a 91:34 K:BB over the past three seasons, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him picked up by another club at some point.
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Sam Tuivailala: Released by Mariners
Rotowire
Tuivailala (shoulder) was placed on unconditional release waivers by the Mariners on Friday.
Tuivailala was dealing with a shoulder impingement during camp. He didn't appear in a Cactus League game but had been able to throw. It's unclear if his release is injury-related, but the uncertainty with his shoulder combined with the uncertainty surrounding MLB's planned date to resume play may make it tough for him to find a new job any time soon.
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Mariners' Sam Tuivailala: Sim game scuttled
Rotowire
Tuivailala (shoulder) was slated to throw a simulated game Friday before MLB's announcement Thursday that spring training is suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.
It's still possible the right-hander has a chance to participate in the sim game by early next week, as Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports the Mariners won't have organized team activities this weekend but are hoping to have guidance from the MLB and MLBPA on what they're allowed to do in that regard by Monday morning. Tuivailala was still ramping up to eventually participate in Cactus League play, but with that plan now by the wayside, he'll continue preparing his arm for the regular season by whatever means are made possible over the coming weeks.
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Mariners' Sam Tuivailala: Faces live hitters
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Tuivailala (shoulder) faced live hitters for the first time this spring as part of a "B" game on a back field at the Mariners' complex Friday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.
The right-handed reliever has been progressively working back from shoulder issues that have plagued him since spring began. Kramer reports Tuivailala allowed a home run to Shed Long and some deep flyball outs to the six hitters he faced. The 27-year-old could be a key component of the Mariners' bullpen when at full health after posting an impressive 2.35 ERA and 1.04 WHIP over 23 appearances in 2019.
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Mariners' Sam Tuivailala: Throws bullpen Wednesday
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Tuivailala (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Wednesday, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.
The right-handed reliever has been held back by a shoulder impingement this spring, which has prevented him from making his Cactus League debut. Tuivailala is making progress toward throwing live batting practice, however, provided he doesn't feel any residual adverse effects from Wednesday's activity.
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Mariners' Sam Tuivailala: Dealing with shoulder impingement
Rotowire
Tuivailala is dealing with a minor shoulder impingement and is at least a week away from game action, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.
The expectation is that Tuivailala will be ready to go at the start of the regular season, but he may not have enough time to make a strong impression in spring training. Manager Scott Servais said there will not be a defined closer entering the season, but Tuivailala is one of several arms who could be called on in the ninth inning depending on the situation and who is fresh in the bullpen.
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Mariners' Sam Tuivailala: Avoids arbitration with Mariners
Rotowire
Tuivailala has agreed to a one-year, $800,000 deal with the Mariners, avoiding arbitration, freelance baseball writer Robert Murray reports.
This was the 27-year-old righty's first year as an arbitration-eligible player. He had a 2.35 ERA and 5.07 xFIP in 23 innings last year.
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Mariners' Sam Tuivailala: Perfect as opener
Rotowire
Tuivailala served as the opener against the Rays on Sunday and fired a perfect first inning during which he recorded a strikeout.
The right-hander fired nine of 15 pitches for strikes in his quick stint on the mound. Tuivailala has been highly reliable since a rocky season debut July 16, as he's now generated six consecutive scoreless efforts.
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Mariners' Sam Tuivailala: Working as opener Sunday
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Tuivailala will serve as the opener Sunday against the Rays, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.
He has recorded between three and four outs in all six of his big-league appearances this year. Wade LeBlanc will work as the primary pitcher.
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Mariners' Sam Tuivailala: Gets first turn as opener
Rotowire
Tuivailala will serve as the Mariners' opening pitcher in Sunday's game against the Astros, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.
He's only expected to work between one and two innings before giving way to primary pitcher Tommy Milone. Though his first four appearances since returning from the 60-day injured list July 15, Tuivailala has given up two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out six in 4.1 innings.
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Mariners' Sam Tuivailala: Notches first win
Rotowire
Tuivailala (1-0) secured the win over the Rangers on Tuesday, allowing two hits and recording two strikeouts over 1.1 scoreless innings.
The right-hander was sharp overall despite yielding a pair of singles, as he threw 15 of 19 pitches for strikes. Tuivailala had a bumpy 2019 debut against the Athletics on July 16, but he's now bounced back to generate 3.1 scoreless innings and a 5:1 K:BB across his subsequent three appearances.
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Mariners' Sam Tuivailala: Rocky '19 debut
Rotowire
Tuivailala, who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list Monday, allowed two earned runs on three hits and a wild pitch over an inning in a loss to the Athletics on Tuesday.
The right-hander endured a rough landing in his first outing of the season, with Josh Phegley plating both of the runs against him with an eighth-inning single. On the brighter side, Tuivailala did find the strike zone on 12 of 14 pitches, and he'll look to continue ironing out the kinks inherent in such a long layoff during subsequent, likely low-leverage outings.
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Mariners' Sam Tuivailala: Finally ready for 2019 debut
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The Mariners reinstated Tuivailala (Achilles) from the 60-day injured list Monday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
Tuivailala will join the active roster for the first time this season after a lengthy recovery from the surgery he required last August to address a torn right Achilles' tendon. The right-hander required two separate rehab assignments to prove his health, with his most recent stint in the minors spanning three weeks and nine appearances. With the Mariners currently lacking in healthy, productive arms in the bullpen behind closer Roenis Elias, Tuivailala could move up quickly in the pecking order if he impresses in his initial opportunities with the big club.
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Mariners' Sam Tuivailala: Return draws closer
Rotowire
Tuivailala (Achilles), who allowed an earned run on three hits over 1.2 innings while recording three strikeouts across two appearances with Triple-A Tacoma on Friday and Saturday, may only make one more rehab appearance before activation, Sarah Wexler of MLB.com reports.
Manager Scott Servais emphasized that he'd heard nothing concerning regarding Tuivailala's physical condition following the back-to-back outings, a pair of appearances against Reno where the right-hander threw a total of 38 pitches. Tuivailala is now slated for multiple days off before potentially logging just one more rehab outing, most likely of the multi-inning variety.
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Mariners' Sam Tuivailala: Rehab moves to Triple-A
Rotowire
Tuivailala (Achilles) has moved his rehab to Triple-A Tacoma, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.
He will pitch multiple innings at least once and will also pitch in back-to-back outings before coming off the injured list.
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Mariners' Sam Tuivailala: Rolling along in rehab assignment
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Tuivailala (Achilles) fired a scoreless seventh inning during which he issued a walk and recorded a strikeout in Double-A Arkansas' win over Springfield on Friday.
Tuivailala was slated to move his rehab to Triple-A Tacoma earlier in the week, but he's remained with the Travelers for unspecified reasons. He continues to make good use of his time at the Double-A level, as he's now generated three scoreless efforts in as many appearances while allowing just one hit. Tuivailala is still expected to toe the rubber for the Rainiers at some point prior to activation.
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Mariners' Sam Tuivailala: Moving rehab to Triple-A level
Rotowire
Tuivailala (Achilles), who fired a scoreless seventh inning for Double-A Arkansas against Tulsa on Sunday in which he allowed a walk and recorded two strikeouts, will now move his rehab to Triple-A Tacoma, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.
The right-handed reliever was much better in his second rehab outing with short-season Everett on Thursday, and he followed that up with Sunday's strong appearance with the Travelers. He'll now graduate to the closest level to the big leagues in order to finish preparing for eventual activation.
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Mariners' Sam Tuivailala: Better in latest rehab appearance
Rotowire
Tuivailala (Achilles) fired a scoreless opening inning in short-season Everett's win over Vancouver on Thursday, allowing no hits or walks and recording one strikeout.
It was a markedly better performance for Tuivailala than a Monday appearance against Salem-Keizer in whcih he allowed five runs across two-thirds of an inning. The right-handed reliever needed a scant seven pitches to get through his one frame Thursday and will look to continue building momentum in subsequent minor-league appearances.
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Mariners' Sam Tuivailala: Hit hard in return
Rotowire
Tuivailala (Achilles) resumed his rehab assignment with short-season Everett on Monday and allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits over two-thirds of an inning in a loss to Salem-Keizer. He struck out two.
The final line was abysmal, but Tuivailala at least got his work in. The right-hander threw 25 pitches overall and got 18 into the strike zone, but serve up a three-run home run to Ricardo Genoves. Despite his struggles, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports the reliever was pleased with both his velocity and the condition of his previously tight shoulder, which led to the recent multi-week pause in his rehab. Tuivailala will likely put in several more outings at various minor-league levels before activation is considered.
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Mariners' Sam Tuivailala: Rehab resumption pushed back
Rotowire
Tuivailala (Achilles) will now resume his rehab with short-season Everett on Monday after his scheduled Friday appearance was delayed by both weather and mound issues, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.
Tuivailala was set to take the hill for the AquaSox on Friday, but the team ultimately decided to not risk the right-hander's health with the questionable conditions. Tuivailala had to pause his rehab in late May due to shoulder tightness, which subsequently subsided with rest. The 26-year-old has been impressive in his rehab thus far, posting a 2.70 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and .091 BAA across 10 appearances.
