A 36-year-old left-handed pitcher and former San Diego Padre has continued his MLB career by signing a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners for the 2024 season.
Recognized as a journeyman, Pomeranz has suited up for multiple teams, including the Rockies, Padres, Athletics, Red Sox, Giants, and Brewers, and was a member of Boston’s 2018 World Series championship team.
In March 2024, Pomeranz signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers but did not make a major league appearance. While pitching for Triple-A Oklahoma City, he recorded a 6.00 ERA, a 1.111 WHIP, and an impressive 14.0 strikeouts per nine innings over eight outings. After two months, he opted out of the contract to pursue other opportunities.
Pomeranz has had a versatile career, transitioning between starting and relief roles. In his first eight MLB seasons, he posted a 3.92 ERA and a 4.14 FIP over 710 innings, which included 122 starts and 74 relief appearances. Although he enjoyed some success early in his career, his performance as a starter began to decline, as seen in his 5.68 ERA with the Giants in 2019.
A pivotal moment in Pomeranz’s career came in 2019, following a midseason trade to the Brewers, where he shifted to a full-time bullpen role. He thrived, posting a stellar 2.39 ERA, a 2.68 FIP, and an impressive 45 percent strikeout rate in the second half of the season. This resurgence led to a four-year, $34 million contract with the Padres ahead of the 2020 season.
However, injuries hindered his time in San Diego, limiting him to just 44.1 innings over the four-year deal. After the 2023 season, Pomeranz entered free agency on a downward trajectory but remains determined to rejuvenate his career.
As Pomeranz joins the Mariners, Seattle hopes his experience and past success, particularly as a reliever, will prove valuable. Although he hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2021, his resilience and adaptability make him an intriguing addition to the Mariners’ depth for the upcoming season.
