The Mariners also announced that second baseman\/designated hitter Jorge Polanco declined his $6 million player option for 2026, and that second baseman Ryan Bliss and right-handers Trent Thornton and Gregory Santos were reinstated from the 60-day injured list.<\/p>\n
Wilcox, 26, made his major league debut with Tampa Bay in 2025. The 2020 third-round pick allowed seven runs (three earned) on four hits and three walks over one inning of work in his lone big league appearance. Wilcox featured a three-pitch mix in his outing for the Rays with a sinker that reached 97.9 mph, slider and sweeper.<\/p>\n
The right-hander spent his first four minor league seasons as a starter before moving to a bullpen role in 2025. In 34 appearances in Triple-A this year, he posted a 3.71 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 57 strikeouts over 51 innings.<\/p>\n
The Mariners\u2019 announcement about Polanco comes with little surprise after the 32 year old had a resurgent year that helped Seattle win the American League West and reach the playoffs. The switch-hitting veteran posted a .265\/.326\/.495 slash line with 26 home runs, 30 doubles and a 132 wRC+<\/a> over 138 games this season. Polanco will be free to sign with any team starting at 2 p.m. Thursday.<\/p>\n More: Jorge Polanco declines player option for 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Bliss, 25, was Seattle\u2019s opening day second baseman but missed nearly the entire season after tearing his left biceps in early April. He went 7 for 35 (.200 average) with one homer in 11 games before the injury. Bliss returned in late August and played in six games during a rehab stint with Triple-A Tacoma but suffered a knee injury while playing for the Rainiers that ended his season.<\/p>\n Thornton, 32, tore his left Achilles attempting to cover first base during a July 31 game and missed the final two months of the season. He had a 4.68 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 32 strikeouts over 42 1\/3 innings in 33 big league outings.<\/p>\n Santos, 26, was sent down to Triple-A in April after eight appearances in the majors, and he went on the injured list and had surgery on his right knee before pitching in a game for Tacoma. Santos returned from his injury and pitched six games for the Rainiers during a rehab stint in September. In his eight big league outings, he surrendered six runs (four earned) while allowing eight hits and eight walks with no strikeouts over seven innings.<\/p>\n Seattle\u2019s 40-man roster sits at 37 players following Wednesday\u2019s moves.<\/p>\n More on the Seattle Mariners<\/p>\n \u2022 Five free agent bats for the Seattle Mariners to target<\/a>
\u2022 This is a big week for the Seattle Mariners and Polanco\u2019s future<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0Mariners\u2019 Raleigh, Wilson named finalists for MLB awards<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0Julio Rodr\u00edguez falls short of first Gold Glove<\/a>
\u2022\u00a0M\u2019s fans should be ready for an uncomfortable Josh Naylor free agency<\/a><\/p>\n
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