Seattle Mariners Sign 5-Year Veteran Southpaw

The Seattle Mariners have bolstered their pitching depth by signing left-handed pitcher Josh Fleming to a minor league contract, assigning him to Triple-A Tacoma. 

Fleming, 28, elected free agency after being designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

This season, he posted a 4.02 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP over 31.1 innings with Pittsburgh, although his minor league performance saw an increase to a 5.68 ERA across 12.2 innings. 

Despite mixed results, Fleming’s impressive ground ball rate makes him a valuable asset.

SIGNED: #Mariners have signed LHP Josh Fleming to a minor-league contract.

— MLB Transaction Tracker (@MLBMovesTracker) August 7, 2024

Fleming began his MLB career with the Tampa Bay Rays, where he made his debut in 2020, enjoying a strong rookie season with a 2.78 ERA over 32.1 innings. 

His role expanded in 2021, leading to a career-high 104.1 innings, although he struggled with a 5.09 ERA. 

His tenure with the Rays was marked by fluctuations in performance and injury setbacks, including elbow inflammation in 2023. After brief stints with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Pirates, Fleming sought a fresh start with the Mariners following his release from Pittsburgh.

The Mariners have signed LHP Josh Fleming to a minor league deal and assigned him to Tacoma. A reliever, he has pitched in 25 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates this season with a 4.02 ERA.

— Mike Curto (@CurtoWorld) August 7, 2024

The Mariners, currently leading the AL West by a narrow margin, see potential in Fleming to enhance their pitching options. 

With only one left-handed pitcher, Tayler Saucedo, on the active roster and other lefty options struggling, Fleming has a clear path to a big league role if he performs well in Triple-A. 

If he can impress at Tacoma, Fleming might soon find himself contributing valuable innings out of the bullpen for the Mariners.

Photo Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports