The star has lightened the mood while admitting he might need to adjust his approach to maintain better health.
“I think what I need to change is my body,” Santos joked through an interpreter on Monday. “I’ve tried everything, different things to stay healthy, but the reality is I haven’t been able to stay healthy very often. But here we are, working through it.”
Santos was activated from the injured list after nearly two months of recovery due to right biceps inflammation, which he revealed was actually connected to a nerve issue in the area. He made six rehab appearances with Triple-A Tacoma and is now determined to finish the season on the active roster, having been sidelined for all but six games this year.
“It’s important. It means a lot,” Santos said. “Even though there are only six games left, these are crucial games. Being able to be here, I’m just focused on helping the team in any way I can.”
At Tacoma, Santos allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings, recording six strikeouts but also issuing seven walks, showing some rust in his command. He noted that while his velocity had dropped slightly, the decrease was minimal.
“Getting him back is a big boost for our bullpen,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “I think it will be well received to have another reliable arm down there. At this point in the season, we’re going to need that.”
The Mariners could certainly use another powerful reliever to complement All-Star closer Andrés Muñoz and emerging rookie Troy Taylor, who has earned more leverage opportunities lately. While Santos may not be used in the setup role the team had anticipated when they acquired him in January, they hope to provide him with the chance to regain his rhythm before the season concludes.
“I’m going to give everything I can,” Santos stated.
The hard-throwing Santos has been out since July 31, and prior to that, he had only made six appearances this season after spending the first three-plus months sidelined due to a right latissimus dorsi strain.
His initial injury led to several setbacks, and the biceps issue took longer to diagnose correctly because of the related nerve problem, he explained. Last year with the White Sox, Santos ended the season on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation.
“It’s been tough,” Santos said. “I didn’t expect this season to be so challenging with all these health issues.”
In a related move, left-hander Jhonathan Díaz was optioned to Seattle’s Spring Training facility since Tacoma’s season has concluded.
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