Mariners Send Down Highly-Regarded Prospect Amongst Six Roster Moves

The Seattle Mariners have made a series of moves and counter-moves to refresh their roster today, the most noteworthy of which is sending down highly-rated pitching prospect Matt Brash to Triple-A.

The 23-year-old has had a bit of a rough indoctrination to the big leagues in his first five starts, with a 7.65 ERA, a 2.05 WHIP and a major league-leading 17 walks issued in just 20 innings. 

Brash had never pitched above Double-A before, so this will be his first look at Triple-A, and he'll have a better chance to get acclimated at the highest level of the minors before getting a call back to the bigs. "I'm just not executing," said Brash. "I just need to be better."

So who fills the rotation spot that Brash vacates? According to The Seattle Times' Ryan Divish, it could very well be the man who lost the 5th-starter battle to Brash in spring training, top pitching prospect George Kirby. He's been outstanding at Class AA Arkansas, going 2-0 with a 1.82 ERA, while striking out an impressive 32 batters to only five walks in 24.2 innings pitched.

For now, other moves for the Mariners include designating left-hander Nick Margevicius for assignment, and placing righty Matt Festa on the 15-day injured list with elbow tendinitis. 

Two pitchers have been recalled from Tacoma, left-hander Danny Young and right Riley O'Brien, while righty Matt Koch has cleared waivers and sent to Triple-A. 

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