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The Seattle Mariners continue to have problems with the bullpen, even before the season has started. The latest casualty is a big one in Charlie Furbush, who has been ruled out for the start of the season. Having Evan Scribner and Ryan Cook out for an extended period to start the season was bad enough, but losing Furbush put the bullpen and Mariners fans into a panic.
One thing that should calm some nerves is the return of Steve Cishek and his dominance. Soreness in Cishek’s bicep held him out of some games this spring, but luckily he has returned, pitching just as good as ever. He has pitched five innings this spring, giving up no runs, with only two hits and one walk.
The way the media has portrayed Cishek, it would seem that he is on a short leash or potentially even playing for the closing gig in Seattle. Jerry Dipoto, the Mariners new GM, and Cishek have said from the beginning he signed with the Mariners because of the opportunity to close. Scott Servais, the manager of the Mariners, said that Cishek is the closer from the beginning of training as well.
If there were ever any doubts, whether based on injury or skill, Cishek has put them to rest. Even in the blowout game between the Mariners and the Oakland Athletics, where 25 runs and 27 hits occurred and huge gusts were helping hitters, Cishek pitched an inning in which he gave up no hits, one walk and had three strikeouts. Joaquin Benoit, who is slated for eighth inning work with the Mariners this season, had a decent outing with two hits, no runs and two strikeouts.
The Mariners definitely find themselves in a tough spot when it comes to the left side of the bullpen, but dependable righties Cishek and Benoit give them a nice one-two punch for the late innings. It should just be known that Cishek is the closer in that punch and no matter what Benoit does, it is Cishek’s job. With the way Cishek has performed this spring, it doesn’t look like he will lose his gig anytime soon.
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