A pair of Seattle Mariners pitchers are making progress as they aim to return from injury.

General manager Justin Hollander provided injury updates prior to the Mariners’ series-opening win Monday over the St. Louis Cardinals at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park. While he had unfortunate news on second baseman Ryan Bliss, the updates on a pair of right-handed pitchers were positive.

• Relief pitcher Gregory Santos started a rehab assignment Saturday with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. His first outing went well, as he threw a scoreless, hitless inning with a walk and a strikeout.

Hollander, who previously said the Mariners had a mid-September return “written in pencil” for Santos, said Santos is “scheduled for somewhere between four and six outings” with Tacoma before he could rejoin the M’s.

The 26-year-old Santos appeared in eight MLB games for the Mariners early this season, but he was sent down to Triple-A in mid-April. He was placed on the injured list and underwent right knee surgery before he made it into a game with the Rainiers.

Santos was acquired in a trade prior to the 2024 season from the Chicago White Sox, but injury woes have kept him from contributing much for Seattle. He appeared in just eight games last year.

In 16 total outings for the M’s since 2024, Santos has a 5.02 ERA and 1.674 WHIP. Prior to his trade to Seattle, Santos pitched in 60 games for the White Sox in 2023, logging a 3.39 ERA and 1.296 WHIP with 66 strikeouts to 17 walks over 66 1/3 innings.

• Rookie starter Logan Evans, who was placed on the injured list Aug. 15 with right elbow inflammation, threw a 25-pitch bullpen Monday and could join Santos on a rehab stint in Tacoma soon. Hollander said there were no issues and that the plan is for him to throw another bullpen Friday before beginning a rehab assignment hopefully next Tuesday or Wednesday.

With injuries in their rotation, the Mariners turned to Evans for 15 starts this season. He posted a 4.37 ERA and 1.404 WHIP with 58 strikeouts to 30 walks over 78 1/3 innings. His 120 combined innings this year between the big leagues and Triple-A are 13 more than his previous career-high thrown as a pro.

The Mariners will play the middle game of their three-game series against the Cardinals at 6:40 p.m. Tuesday night. Radio coverage on Seattle Sports will begin at 5:30 with the pregame show.

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