The Mariners’ bullpen will be without a key cog for the near future, as Stephen Pryor was placed on the 15-day disabled list this evening with a tear in the latissimus dorsi muscle behind his right shoulder.
According to Greg Johns of MLB.com, the tear was found by Mariners medical director Edward Khalfayan after Pryor complained of tightness in his back during an appearance against the Rangers yesterday. It’s not clear how long he’ll be sidelined, but it’s safe to say that the injury will require a lengthy absence.
After posting a 3.91 ERA and 27/13 K/BB ratio over 23 innings as a rookie last year, Pryor has allowed just three hits over 7 1/3 scoreless innings this season to go along with a 7/1 K/BB ratio. His control is the biggest question, but the hard-throwing 23-year-old has the potential to be a dominant late-inning arm.
