Yoshihisa

Hirano

The deal also includes performance bonuses. Hirano, 36, came over to MLB three years ago and posted a 5.84 ERA with four saves over 13 relief appearances with the Mariners last year. His career is going full circle, as he began his pro career with the Buffaloes and pitched 11 seasons for the club before coming stateside.

Fortunately, he was working with a three-run lead before giving up three hits and a walk. Hirano is 4-for-4 closing out games for the Mariners, even if he’s not inspiring a ton of confidence in the process.

Hirano gave up three consecutive hits to open the ninth inning before starting a pivotal double play on a comebacker to the mound off the bat of rookie sensation Jake Cronenworth. He proceeded to coax a ground ball to second base from ensuing batter Jurickson Profar to end the contest. The 36-year-old righty has converted all three of his save chances this year. He owns a 2.70 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 8/4 K/BB ratio across 10 innings.

It hasn’t happened quite as expected, but Hirano has emerged as the Mariners’ closer this month after being signed to contend for the job over the winter. He has, however, pitched three straight days now, so the Mariners will likely need to turn elsewhere if they have another save chance tonight or tomorrow. Yohan Ramirez is the likeliest option.

It wasn’t a clean save for Hirano -- as he allowed a one-out solo homer to Ronald Guzman -- but he bounced back to strike out Derek Dietrich and Anderson Tejada to end the ballgame. With Taylor Williams now in San Diego, Hirano looks to be the favorite for save chances in Seattle and is worth a look in all mixed leagues.

Hirano has been out all season following a positive COVID-19 test, but he’s ready to roll now. He could eventually be used in the late innings for the Mariners, possibly in save situations.

Despite only recently joining the team site, Hirano has been throwing at the team’s facility in Peoria, Arizona for weeks. That news means it shouldn’t be long before the 38-year-old is ready to rejoin the big club. Mariners manager Scott Servais said Hirano “could be back with us here pretty soon,” further confirming it shouldn’t be long before the right-hander is back to pitching in the back end of the M’s bullpen.

Once he’s cleared to take the next step and begin facing live hitters, Hirano will be shifted to the Mariners’ alternate training site in Tacoma. The 36-year-old right-hander missed most of summer camp after testing positive for COVID-19 in late June. He should join the bullpen in Seattle around the middle of August.

The report also revealed the Hirano tested positive for COVID-19 in late June and was unable to train for several weeks, only resuming exercising on July 6. That would seem to make it unlikely that he would be ready in time for Opening Day. Hirano will be a candidate for save chances in Seattle’s bullpen when he’s ready.

Hirano hadn’t been at camp at any point, leaving his status uncertain. He was one of the candidates to close for the Mariners this year. Matt Magill and Austin Adams look like the better bets right now.