Seattle Mariners Bolster Roster: Hoby Milner and Lazaro Montes Join the Fight for October

The Seattle Mariners are leaving nothing to chance as they enter the final stretch of the season. In a bold move to stabilize their pitching staff and inject power into a struggling lineup, the front office has executed a series of high-stakes roster changes. The headliners? Veteran left-hander Hoby Milner and the highly anticipated prospect Lazaro Montes.

Hoby Milner: A Veteran Presence for the Stretch Run

Seattle is taking a calculated risk by signing 10-year MLB veteran Hoby Milner. After being waived by the Chicago Cubs, Milner officially joined the Mariners on September 1st. His timing is critical; by signing when they did, Milner is eligible to pitch in the postseason—a goal the Mariners are desperately chasing.

Milner brings a wealth of experience to the mound, having played for several organizations including the Phillies, Rays, Brewers, and Rangers. Despite a mid-season battle with appendicitis that landed him on the injured list in July, Milner showed resilience with the Cubs this year, posting a 3.53 ERA over 38 appearances. His career 3.80 ERA across 405 games makes him a reliable asset for a bullpen needing stability during the high-pressure September push.

The Arrival of Lazaro Montes: Powerhouse Potential

While Milner provides the experience, Lazaro Montes provides the electricity. The 21-year-old outfielder has officially had his contract selected from Triple-A Tacoma, marking the beginning of his Major League journey.

Montes isn’t just another rookie; he is a legitimate offensive threat. Check out his staggering minor league stats from this season:

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• OPS: .928 (combined Double-A and Triple-A)
• Home Runs: 38
• RBI: 96
• Physical Presence: 6-foot-5, 210 lbs

Ranked as one of the top prospects in the MLB system, Montes is expected to solve Seattle’s lack of power hitting, providing a much-needed spark to a lineup that has struggled to drive in runs.

Roster casualties and the Road to the Wild Card

To make room for these additions, the Mariners had to make some tough calls. Utilityman Connor Joe and right-handed pitcher Nolan Kingham have been designated for assignment (DFA). Joe, who struggled with a .179 batting average in 21 games, falls victim to the team’s need for more offensive production.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Seattle currently finds itself in a tight race, trailing the Cleveland Guardians by 5.5 games for the final American League wild-card berth and trailing the Houston Astros in the AL West. With the addition of Milner’s veteran arm and Montes’ raw power, the Mariners are betting that these moves will be the catalyst for a late-season surge.

Will it be enough?

Only time will tell if these roster pivots can bridge the gap, but one thing is certain: the Mariners are fighting until the very last out.