TJ Cotterill

The News Tribune

SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners might finally have their closer for 2019.

The Mariner hadn’t officially confirmed it on Thursday, but Hunter Strickland appears headed to Seattle after saving 14 games for the San Francisco Giants last season to help replace the major-league leading 57 saves Edwin Diaz had last season.

Of course, Diaz is now with the New York Mets as part of the Mariners’ offseason rebuild. They jettisoned him for a run of prospects — and most of the members of the Mariners’ 2018 bullpen are now on other teams’ rosters.

The other relievers currently on the Mariners’ roster have a combined 12 career saves. The Mariners have envisioned their closer role being more of a committee approach than years past, but Strickland would at least give them something close to significant experience in the ninth inning.

Strickland had a 3.97 ERA in 45 1/3 innings for the Giants last year. The 30-year-old tweeted Thursday that he’s looking forward to getting to Seattle, even though the Mariners had not made the move official.

(Update: The Mariners finally officially announced Strickland’s signing on Sunday. To make room on the 40-man roster, they designated right-hander Max Povse, a 6-foot-8 25-year-old, for assignment).

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said with a smile at the Mariners’ pre-spring training luncheon at T-Mobile Park on Thursday that they were “very close” to adding another reliever.

“There is no question, the bullpen is our biggest guess,” Dipoto said. “The bullpen right now is a work in progress. We’re going to use it as a proving ground. There’s going to be a lot more opportunity down there and I think opportunity for a young player is what you’re looking for. And most of the guys down there will be young.”

The only other relievers currently on the Mariners roster with experience closing games are Anthony Swarzak (six career saves), Cory Gearrin (five) and Shawn Armstrong (one).

Most might know of Strickland for being an instigator of a benches-clearing brawl between the Giants and Nationals in 2017 when he hit Bryce Harper on the hip with a 98-mph fastball. Harper responded by pointing and yelling at Strickland before the two were exchanging blows. Strickland had to be physically removed off the field by at least three of his teammates.

Last year he blew a save against the Marlins and then missed the next two months because he punched a door in anger and broke his hand.

But without Diaz, Alex Colome, David Phelps, Adam Warren, Zach Duke, Juan Nicasio, James Pazos and Nick Vincent from this past season’s bullpen, the Mariners are certainly in need of trusted arms.

“I don’t think there are any roles right now,” manager Scott Servais said. “It is a work in progress.”

New spring hat, jersey

The Mariners will be outfitted in a new, all-navy blue hat — sporting an ‘M’ superimposed over elements from a compass rose — and powder blue jersey for spring training.

The jersey will be worn only during spring games. The cap will be worn during spring games and batting practice during the regular season.

The powder blue is a nod to the color scheme the team used in the early years (1977-84) for its road jerseys.

Short hops

Infielder/pitcher Kaleb Cowart, who was designated for assignment on Monday in order to make room on the 40-man roster for infielder Shed Long, was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Tigers. … Dipoto said the team’s health is good with the exception of Swarzak. The 33-year-old reliever (shoulder) had been throwing but will be slowed down although Dipoto said he could be available by Opening Day. … Dipoto also said reliever Sam Tuivailala, who is recovering from a ruptured Achilles’ tendon, is coming along quick but is still likely to be out until June.