Mariners Claim Levi Stoudt, DFA Canaan Smith-Njigba
The Seattle Mariners have claimed right-handed pitcher Levi Stoudt off waivers from the Cincinnati Reds. To create room on the 40-man roster, outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba was designated for assignment. Adding Stoudt to the team is a noteworthy move for the Mariners. Seattle originally drafted him in the third round of the 2019 MLB Draft before shipping him to Cincinnati in the Luis Castillo trade. Now 26, Stoudt struggled between the bullpen and rotation last year, allowing 11 runs over 10+ innings of work. Perhaps a return to the Mariners is exactly what the doctor ordered, though even if he does make the Opening Day roster, he'll remain off the fantasy radar. The same goes for Smith-Njigba, whose status is now in limbo. The outfielder spent less than two weeks in the Mariners' organization and went just 4-for-32 with 16 strikeouts while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates last season. It's possible that another team with an open 40-man roster spot could take a chance on him via trade or waiver claim.
The Cincinnati Reds optioned rookie right-hander Levi Stoudt to Triple-A Louisville on Monday and also designated right-hander Randy Wynne for assignment. In corresponding moves, the team recalled right-hander Eduardo Salazar from Louisville and selected the contract of pitcher Jake Wong from Louisville. Stoudt got the spot start against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday in the series finale and allowed three runs on four hits while walking three in three innings, and he now has an unsightly 9.90 ERA (5.07 FIP), 2.20 WHIP, seven walks and eight strikeouts in his first 10 MLB innings over three appearances (two starts) for the Reds. The 25-year-old will go back to the minors for more seasoning.
The Cincinnati Reds recalled right-hander Levi Stoudt from Triple-A Louisville on Saturday and optioned right-hander Kevin Herget to Louisville in a corresponding move. Stoudt will be available in relief on Saturday. The team's No. 14 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, could have a chance to take over left-hander Nick Lodolo's (calf) rotation spot in the short term if the southpaw lands on the injured list. Right-hander Derek Law is start against the Fish on Saturday, but Stoudt figures to handle the bulk of the innings after Law exits. In his first big-league start on April 19 against the Tampa Bay Rays, Stoudt allowed seven runs on nine hits while walking one and striking out three in four innings. Stoudt isn't a finished product, but he has a shot at sticking in Cincy's rotation eventually with a legitimate four-pitch mix.
The Cincinnati Reds have added right-handed pitching prospect Levi Stoudt to their taxi squad, and he is scheduled to make his major-league debut on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Stoudt is the Reds' No. 14 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and he was 0-1 with a 4.09 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, nine walks and 10 strikeouts in 11 innings over three starts for Triple-A Louisville before getting his first major-league call-up as a spot starter for Cincinnati this week. The 25-year-old throws his fastball in the upper-90s and could eventually have a nice four-pitch mix, but for now, fantasy managers in redraft leagues should look to avoid Stoudt as a streamer against a strong Rays ballclub in his first MLB start.
Levi Stoudt
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Mariners
