Notebook: Mariners fans ‘should be excited’ about Edwin Diaz’s progress, says Scott Servais – MyNorthwest.com

Edwin Diaz needed just 12 pitches to take care of the Blue Jays for the save on Friday night. (AP)

After a certifiably dominant performance by Edwin Diaz in the ninth inning of the Mariners 4-2 win over the Blue Jays on Friday, its easy to forget that he wasnt Seattles closer all that long ago.

The 23-year-old phenom had to go back to basics following a disastrous outing on May 15 when he walked four and registered just one out before being pulled from a win over the Oakland As. Since then, however, hes thrown seven innings over seven appearances, allowing just one run on three hits and (most importantly) no walks while reclaiming the closer role along the way.

No outing had been as good as Fridays, when he needed all of 12 pitches to put the Blue Jays away in order, striking out two on the way to his 10th save of the year.

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I think all Mariner fans should be excited about it, manager Scott Servais said about Diazs performance. It was a little rocky beginning for Edwin early in the season. We backed off for good reason, got him to make a few adjustments.

Those adjustments, which were spearheaded by pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr., have worked wonders. Diaz arrived in Seattle last season with minimal experience as a reliever, converting from a starter in May and joining the Mariners in June. As a result, he still had a lot to learn even though his otherworldly stuff which includes a fastball that reaches as high as 102 mph rocketed him into the closer role.

Diaz now looks like a more complete pitcher. He still throws with emotion, but hes clearly more in control of himself should trouble arise. And with that in check, theres not much opposing hitters can do when his pitches are on, as the Blue Jays learned on Friday night.

Mels done a great job with him and keeping him in check, and tonight I thought was the best fastball hed had all year and (he) commanded it, Servais said after Fridays game. It was down in the strike zone early, it was up late when he wanted to go, he wasnt missing spots, and once you get them swinging at 100 theyre gonna swing over the top of that slider. Really excited about where Diaz is at.

Notes

RHP Felix Hernandez will make his second rehab start on Sunday, but it wont be his last. On the 10-day disabled list since late April for shoulder bursitis, Hernandez will make another appearance in the minor leagues after he throws around 65 pitches for Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday. We want to make sure hes ready to go when hes out there at the big league level, Servais said.

RHP Hisashi Iwakuma (shoulder) will throw a simulated game Sunday at Safeco Field, and Servais said if all goes well the 36-year-old starter will go out on a rehab assignment three or four days later.

SS Jean Segura (high ankle sprain) took some ground balls on the field before Saturdays game, his first baseball activity since suffering his injury on June 1. General manager Jerry Dipoto spoke earlier this week on Danny, Dave and Moore about the surprisingly quick recovery Segura is making from an injury that typically keeps players out four to six weeks.

The Mariners are still without OF Mitch Haniger (oblique), who will play part of Tacomas game Saturday in the fifth game of his rehab assignment. He will most likely be activated from the DL for Sundays finale against Toronto. More on that, plus the lineups for Saturdays Game 2 of the Mariners series against the Blue Jays at 7:10 on 710 ESPN Seattle, in this post.

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Notebook: Mariners fans 'should be excited' about Edwin Diaz's progress, says Scott Servais - MyNorthwest.com