The Seattle Mariners have made another move to strengthen their pitching depth, signing veteran right-handed reliever Scott Effross to a minor league contract. The deal gives Seattle another experienced arm to evaluate as the club looks for additional options to stabilize its bullpen during the stretch run of the 2026 season.
Effross, 32, is expected to report to Triple-A Tacoma, where he will have an opportunity to pitch his way back into the major leagues. The Mariners are hoping the veteran can rediscover the form that once made him a useful bullpen weapon and potentially provide dependable middle-inning coverage at the major-league level.
Effross began the 2026 campaign with the Detroit Tigers after joining the organization on a minor league contract and attending spring training as a non-roster invitee. He spent the season with Triple-A Toledo, appearing in 27 games and logging 36⅓ innings.
His numbers with Toledo were mixed. Effross posted a 4.46 ERA while striking out 16% of opposing hitters and generating a 42% ground-ball rate. Detroit released him last week, allowing Seattle to bring him into its organization and give him another opportunity to continue his comeback.
Although his recent results have been inconsistent, Effross has significant major-league experience. He has appeared in 88 MLB games since making his debut in 2021, giving the Mariners a pitcher who has already faced high-level competition and experienced the demands of a major-league bullpen.
Effross enjoyed his strongest stretch during his rookie season with the Chicago Cubs in 2022. His performance that year attracted the attention of the New York Yankees, who acquired him at the trade deadline in a deal that sent pitching prospect Hayden Wesneski to Chicago.
However, Effross’ career was subsequently disrupted by a series of significant injuries. He underwent Tommy John surgery, forcing him to miss the entire 2023 season. He later required back surgery during the 2023-24 offseason, adding another obstacle to his attempt to establish himself as a consistent major-league reliever.
His injury problems continued into the following season when a left hamstring strain sidelined him for the first six weeks. Effross eventually returned to the Yankees and made 10⅔ MLB innings in an inconsistent bullpen role before New York ultimately non-tendered him.
Now, Seattle is giving the veteran another chance.
The timing of the signing is particularly relevant because the Mariners could use additional bullpen depth. Seattle currently ranks 11th in MLB in bullpen ERA and 13th in strikeout rate, while the relief corps has struggled more recently. Over the past month, the unit has posted a 5.02 ERA and surrendered an increased number of home runs.
The Mariners also recently lost Cole Wilcox to an oblique strain, creating another opening in the bullpen and increasing the importance of organizational depth.
Effross could therefore have a realistic opportunity to earn a promotion if he pitches effectively in Tacoma. Seattle is expected to have two or three middle-relief roles available for competition, giving the veteran right-hander a clear path toward returning to the majors.
For the Mariners, the move carries little risk while providing potential upside. Effross can begin rebuilding his confidence in Triple-A, and if he shows improved command, effectiveness and durability, Seattle could eventually turn to him for innings at the major-league level.
The signing does not guarantee Effross a spot in Seattle’s bullpen, but it gives both sides an opportunity. The Mariners add an experienced pitcher to their organizational depth, while Effross gets another chance to revive his MLB career after several difficult seasons marked by injuries and setbacks.
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