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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 19: Alex Hoppe #48 of the Seattle Mariners talks to reporters before the game against the Athletics at T-Mobile Park on April 19, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The Mariners have decided to designate Casey Legumina for assignment during their recent bullpen skid. 

Mariners DFA Casey Legumina After Athletics Outburst

Legumina, 28, was originally a Blue Jays draft product. He was selected in the 25th round of the 2016 MLB draft. Legumina’s big league career hasn’t shaped up the way the Mariners might have hoped for. Through 83.1 innings, the right-hander owns an unsettling 5.83 earned run average. His lack of track record and prospect pedigree no doubt played a role in the M’s opting for a new arm. 

Not to add insult to injury, but 2026 was no bright spot for the hurler. Legumina wasn’t a solution and sported a 4.63 earned run average in 11.2 innings of work. Although his underlying metrics enjoyed low walk rates and above-average extension, there wasn’t much else to marvel at. 

Seattle will turn to the next man up. In desperate need of production out of the pen, Alex Hoppe is being selected as the corresponding move. 

Alex Hoppe Selected by Mariners

The Mariners are turning to flamethrowing right-hander Alex Hoppe. Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reported the selection of his contract. 

After Legumina seemingly snakebit himself against the Athletics, the Mariners are buying into the stuff rather than consistency. In AAA Tacoma this year, Hoppe has yet to allow an earned run and owns a WHIP below one. Many teams have moved to a ‘per-inning’ dominance standard. With this move, the Mariners are betting on recent success and the repertoire that Hoppe commands. 

Hoppe trots out a pitch-mix with a fastball that’s been up to 101mph, a cutter that tops out at 93mph, a slider in the high 80s, and a changeup to keep lefties honest. His stuff will definitely play in The Show; he’ll just have to bury the mistakes. 

The Mariners Bullpen is in Desperate Need of a new Weapon 

Outside of the consistency from alien-like Matt Brash, the latter innings have been unkind to the Mariners. 

Closer Andres Munoz has cemented himself as one of the game’s best in the ninth over the past few years. In 2026, his ERA sits at 7.88 through 8 innings. There’s no doubt that Munoz will regress to the mean, but until that happens, someone needs to pick up the slack. 

Jose A. Ferrer, who was acquired from the Nationals this past offseason, has been adequate. However, there may be cause for some concern. Ferrer’s innings have been filled to the brim with traffic, and although he’s still best friends with the groundball, it won’t be enough if paired with a WHIP nearing two. The Mariners flipped highly touted catching prospect for Ferrer, and if the deal sours, it’ll leave the worst kind of taste in the mouths of the fans. It’s become even more highlighted by the early-season pitfalls of Cal Raleigh. 

Hoppe will slot in towards the bottom half of the trust totem pole. Teams going through early skids can regain traction when they call up a young, fiery rookie. Hoppe could provide exactly what the M’s have been looking for out of the bullpen. His roaring fastball and ignorance of the opposition’s offensive antics are wholeheartedly welcome in Seattle.