The Seattle Mariners made a roster move ahead of their matchup with the Oakland Athletics, promoting a fresh arm to the bullpen while parting ways with another. Seattle selected the contract of right-handed reliever Alex Hoppe from Triple-A Tacoma and designated fellow right-hander Casey Legumina for assignment.
Hoppe, 27, has been one of the most effective relievers in the minors to start the season. Pitching for the Tacoma Rainiers, he delivered eight scoreless innings across eight appearances, striking out 12 batters while earning four saves. Opposing hitters struggled to make solid contact against him, managing just four hits and batting a mere .148. He also issued only three walks, showcasing both control and dominance in high-leverage situations.
Acquired in a November 2025 trade with the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league catcher Luke Heyman, Hoppe is now set to receive his first opportunity at the major league level. Originally selected in the sixth round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of UNC Greensboro, Hoppe brings a versatile arsenal to the mound. His pitch mix includes a four-seam fastball that typically sits between 97 and 98 mph, complemented by a slider, changeup, and cutter. That combination has made him a difficult matchup for hitters and a promising addition to Seattle’s bullpen.
On the other side of the move, Legumina’s departure comes after a stretch of inconsistent performances. The 28-year-old reliever, who played his college baseball at Gonzaga, posted a 4.63 ERA this season, allowing six runs over 11 2/3 innings in eight appearances. During that span, he gave up 15 hits and three walks while striking out nine batters.
His most recent outing proved costly. In Monday’s game against the Athletics, Legumina surrendered three runs in just one inning of work, ultimately taking the loss in a 6-3 defeat. That performance appeared to be the tipping point for the Mariners’ decision to make a change in their bullpen.
Legumina had also struggled during the previous season, appearing in 48 games for Seattle and recording a 5.62 ERA over 49 2/3 innings. While he showed flashes at times, the overall results were not enough to secure his spot on the roster moving forward.
With this transaction, the Mariners’ 40-man roster now stands at 39 players, giving the team some flexibility for potential future moves.
In addition to the bullpen shakeup, Seattle also announced that right-handed pitcher Blas Castaño has been claimed off waivers by the Colorado Rockies. Castaño, 27, had been designated for assignment on April 14. He made his major league debut with the Mariners last season, appearing in one game and allowing three runs across three innings of work.
Overall, the Mariners are clearly looking to strengthen their pitching staff by rewarding strong minor league performance while moving on from players who have struggled to produce consistent results at the big league level.
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