ANDRÉS MUÑOZ NEWS

Grabs 13th save Munoz picked up the save in Wednesday's 3-2 victory over the Angels. He allowed one hit while striking out two in a scoreless inning.

Impact Munoz struck out a pair of Angels, reaching 101.9 MPH on his fastball, before Brett Phillips was caught stealing to end the game. The 24-year-old Munoz has delivered three consecutive scoreless appearances after allowing a run in each of his previous three outings. He improves to 13-for-16 in save opportunities this season with a 2.89 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 62:21 K:BB across 43.2 innings.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back in action Munoz (hip) allowed two hits and hit a batter while striking out one over a scoreless inning in Monday's 8-5 extra-innings loss to the Angels.

Impact Munoz battled hip tightness over the weekend, but he was able to return to action without a trip to the injured list. He was a little wild but kept the score tied at 3-3 in the ninth inning, though the rest of the Mariners' bullpen faltered in the 10th and 11th frames. Munoz is at a 2.95 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 60:21 K:BB through 42.2 innings while racking up 12 saves and 13 holds this season.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with hip tightness Munoz said he's been battling some minor left hip tightness but threw without issue ahead of Sunday's game at Tampa Bay, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Impact Munoz will probably be unavailable for the Mariners' series finale against the Rays on Sunday at Tropicana Field, but there doesn't seem to be much concern that this is going to become a long-term issue. Matt Brash is the best bet for fill-in closer duties, though Munoz could be right back in action Monday versus the Angels.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Likely unavailable Sunday Manager Scott Servais said Munoz is dealing with "a little something" and is likely unavailable Sunday at Tampa Bay, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Impact "Am I concerned? No," said Servais. "Would I like to have him available today? Yes." Matt Brash hasn't pitched since Thursday and could act as the fill-in closer for the Mariners while Munoz grabs some rest.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Escapes with 12th save Munoz picked up the save Thursday against Tampa Bay. He hit a batter and issued a walk while striking out two in a scoreless ninth inning.

Impact The 24-year-old closer worked around a hit-by-pitch and a walk to shut the door on Seattle's 1-0 victory, getting back on track after allowing a run in each of his previous three appearances. Munoz has now converted 10 of his first 12 save chances since taking over as the primary closer at the trade deadline. The hard-throwing righty owns a 3.02 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and an impressive 12.7 K/9 across 41.2 innings on the campaign.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Falters for seventh loss Munoz (3-7) took the loss against the Reds on Tuesday, allowing an earned run on two hits without retiring a batter in the ninth inning.

Impact Called on to preserve a 6-6 tie, Munoz got his frame off on the wrong foot when Elly De La Cruz legged out an infield single and subsequently swiped second base. That put the rookie phenom in position to race home on Christian Encarnacion-Strand's single to right, handing Munoz his seventh loss in quick fashion. The right-hander has had some bumps in the road since taking over the primary closer role following the trade of Paul Sewald to the Diamondbacks at the deadline, blowing two of his 11 save opportunities, taking three losses and posting a bloated 1.60 WHIP across the 15 innings he's logged since Aug. 2.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tagged with loss Friday Munoz (3-6) took the loss Friday as the Mariners were downed 2-1 by the Mets, giving up a run on two hits and a walk in the eighth inning. He struck out one.

Impact Called upon to preserve a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the eighth, Munoz instead tossed only 15 of 27 pitches for strikes, uncorked two wild pitches and gave up two stolen bases, somehow emerging with only one run on his ledger. The right-hander has been more lucky than good since taking over as Seattle's primary closer -- in 15 innings since the beginning of August, he has a 2.40 ERA despite a 1.47 WHIP, converting nine of his 11 save chances.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Notches 11th save Munoz struck out one in a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record his 11th save of the season in a 5-4 win over the A's.

Impact The right-hander needed 14 pitches (nine strikes) to knife through the bottom of the Oakland lineup, topping out at 99.6 mph with his fastball. Munoz's first month as Seattle's main closer wraps up with a 1.93 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 20:7 K:BB through 14 innings, but just as he would occasionally sub in for Paul Sewald, Matt Brash could still get the call every now and then in the ninth no matter how well Munoz is pitching.

AUGUST 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fans side for save Munoz struck out three batters in a perfect inning and earned a save over the Royals on Sunday.

Impact Munoz fired 10 of 14 pitches for strikes and forced five whiffs in his dominant appearances. He yielded three hits and two walks over his previous two innings. The 24-year-old has now converted 10 of his 13 save chances while producing a 2.63 ERA and a 53:18 K:BB through 37.2 frames.

AUGUST 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Walks tightrope again Munoz allowed a hit and two walks while striking out one over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 7-5 win over the Royals.

Impact Munoz took a blown save in his appearance versus the White Sox on Wednesday, but he was able to preserve a two-run lead this time around. He's allowed multiple baserunners in six of his last 10 appearances, posting an 11:7 K:BB while allowing seven runs (three earned) and 12 hits over 10 innings in that span. Despite the dramatic nature of those outings, he's converted five of his seven save chances and added a hold. Munoz is at a 2.70 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 50:18 K:BB with nine saves and 13 holds over 36.2 innings this season.

AUGUST 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nails down one-out save Munoz recorded his eighth save in a win over the White Sox on Tuesday, recording the final out of the game on a strikeout.

Impact Despite its brevity, Munoz's save opportunity was anything but easy considering it involved retiring the dangerous Luis Robert with a man aboard. The right-hander got the job done on just four pitches, putting the prodigious slugger away swinging on a 97 mph sinker to convert his second straight save chance and generate his third consecutive scoreless appearance. Munoz appears to be settling in nicely into the primary closer role, although the ninth-inning job in Seattle isn't as centered on one pitcher as other spots around baseball.

AUGUST 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Gets 13th hold Sunday Munoz recorded his 13th hold in a win over the Astros on Sunday, firing a perfect eighth inning during which he recorded a strikeout.

Impact The right-hander had notched a save while working around two hits in Friday's series opener, an outing that snapped a three-appearance streak with at least one run allowed for Munoz. He followed it up with his first clean outing since Aug. 3, which netted his first hold of August. Despite the occasional stumble, Munoz remains an elite source of strikeouts (11.8 K/9) and has done an excellent job keeping the ball in the park, having only allowed one home run across 34.1 innings over 35 appearances.

AUGUST 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns seventh save Munoz picked up his seventh save in Friday's 2-0 win over the Astros. He allowed two hits with no strikeouts or walks over a scoreless inning.

Impact Munoz earned his fifth save since the Mariners traded away former closer Paul Sewald at the deadline. It wasn't pretty as Munoz allowed two baserunners prior to inducing Yainer Diaz to hit into a game-ending double play. Munoz has been shaky of late, allowing 12 baserunners with only five strikeouts over his past six appearances spanning 6.2 innings, yet managing to give up only two earned runs over that stretch. On the year, he maintains a 2.70 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 44 strikeouts over 33.1 innings.

AUGUST 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mariners Extra: Andres Munoz, Matt Brash finding their way in shared closer's role The Mariners are giving both Andres Munoz and Matt Brash the chance to prove they can close out games down the stretch of a playoff chase.

AUGUST 18, 2023 • SEATTLETIMES.COM

Holds on for win Munoz (3-5) blew the save, but picked up the win anyway Tuesday against Kansas City. He allowed three runs (none earned) on two hits and two walks over 1.2 innings.

Impact Despite owning a three-run lead with three outs to go, Munoz was unable to convert the save after giving up a pair of walks and a pair of singles as part of a three-run inning. However, the Mariners managed to pull out the victory in extra-innings, allowing Munoz to pick up his third win of the season. Munoz has now allowed a run to score in four of his last five appearances (5.2 innings) and owns a 2.12 WHIP during that span.

AUGUST 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Takes fifth loss Saturday Munoz (2-5) took the extra-inning loss against the Orioles on Saturday, allowing an unearned run on one hit o ver one inning. He struck out one.

Impact Munoz got the call following nine masterful innings from starter George Kirby, but matters got challenging immediately when inning-opening runner Cedric Mullins swiped third and Ryan Mountcastle subsequently singled him home to lead off the 10th frame. Munoz retired Baltimore in order after that point, but the Mariners went down 1-2-3 on swinging strikes in the home half of the inning against the dominant Felix Bautista. The end result was Munoz's fourth straight losing decision dating back to July 8, but his first stumble in a month of August during which he's already compiled four saves while pitching to a 1.80 ERA and 9:2 K:BB across five innings over five appearances.

AUGUST 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Secures sixth save Munoz allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 2-0 win over the Padres.

Impact Munoz has a save in all four of his appearances in August, striking out eight and walking two while allowing one run over four innings this month. The right-hander is up to six saves to go with 12 holds through 30 appearances this season. He's maintained a 2.83 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 42:13 K:BB through 28.2 innings. Based on usage since Paul Sewald was traded to Arizona, it appears Munoz has the upper hand on Matt Brash -- who earned a hold with a scoreless eighth inning Tuesday -- for save chances.

AUGUST 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Shaky in fifth save Munoz allowed a run on two hits and two walks while striking out two over one inning to pick up the save in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Angels.

Impact Munoz walked the tightrope for this one, getting two outs on 14 pitches before allowing four straight batters to reach. He loaded the bases on an intentional walk and then struck out Hunter Renfroe to close it out. Munoz's velocity gives him closer qualities, but he's prone to the occasional nightmarish outing. He's converted all three of his save chances since Paul Sewald was traded to Arizona. Matt Brash, who earned the save Friday, worked a scoreless eighth inning for a hold in Saturday's contest. Given both Munoz and Brash have appeared three times in the last four days, someone like Justin Topa could have a chance to vulture a save should a chance arise Sunday.

AUGUST 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Notches another save Munoz earned a save against the Angels on Thursday, striking out all three batters he faced in a perfect ninth inning.

Impact After Seattle rallied to take the lead with a four-run ninth inning, Munoz was summoned to slam the door on the Angels. He did so with aplomb, fanning all three batters he faced on 16 pitches. By doing so, Munoz notched a save for the second straight day. He appears to be the clear closer of choice for Seattle with Paul Sewald now in Arizona.

AUGUST 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Converts third save Munoz picked up the save Wednesday against the Red Sox, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning.

Impact Munoz staked an early claim to the closing job in Seattle following the trade of Paul Sewald. The hard-throwing right-hander logged a pair of strikeouts, setting the Red Sox down in order to close out a 6-3 win. The 24-year-old Munoz certainly has the stuff to succeed in a closing role -- he's generated a 52 percent whiff rate with his slider this season, paired with a 100-mph fastball. Munoz has now converted 3-of-4 save opportunities this season while sporting a 2.81 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 36:11 K:BB across 25.2 innings.

AUGUST 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

In line for closing role Munoz is in line to serve as the Mariners' primary closer following the trade of Paul Sewald to the Diamondbacks on Monday, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Impact Sewald had logged 24 save chances overall for the Mariners and Seattle is expected to remain a viable wild-card contender for the foreseeable future. Therefore, the potential closing workload Sewald's exit creates should afford Munoz his fair share of save chances, and the hard-throwing right-hander certainly has the stuff -- including a fastball that averages 99.1 mph -- for a ninth-inning role. However, the newfound opportunity comes in the midst of a handful of recent hiccups for Munoz, who's allowed an earned run in four of his last 10 appearances while taking three losses. The 24-year-old has converted two of the three save opportunities he's seen across 24 appearances thus far in 2023, and if he were to struggle as a closing option, fellow right-hander Matt Brash could conceivably be given a look in that role as well.

AUGUST 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mariners move on after trades, beat Red Sox 6-2 as Andres Munoz comes through SEATTLE — Following the oft-used adage of “the ball will find you,” the moment was going to find the Mariners and Andres Munoz in the late i...

AUGUST 1, 2023 • SACBEE.COM

Mariners move on after trades, beat Red Sox 6-2 as Andres Munoz comes through SEATTLE — Following the oft-used adage of “the ball will find you,” the moment was going to find the Mariners and Andres Munoz in the late i...

AUGUST 1, 2023 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Takes fourth loss Saturday Munoz (2-4) took the loss against the Diamondbacks on Saturday, surrendering an earned run on a hit and a walk over one inning. He also committed a balk.

Impact Entrusted with preserving a 3-3 tie when he entered in his usual eighth-inning slot, Munoz got into trouble immediately by walking leadoff hitter Corbin Carroll, advancing him to second base on a balk, allowing a steal of third and subsequently surrendering a go-ahead single to Dominic Canzone. The Mariners couldn't overcome the one-run deficit in the ninth, marking Munoz's third straight losing decision dating back to July 8. It's been a bit of a rockier month than usual for the hard-throwing right-hander, who's accompanied his five holds and one save in that span with three defeats and a blown save opportunity as well across 12.1 innings.

JULY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns second save Munoz picked up the save Wednesday against the Twins, working around a hit in a scoreless inning.

Impact With Paul Sewald having pitched in Seattle's previous two games, Munoz was called upon to work the ninth Wednesday. He maneuvered around a leadoff single, closing out an 8-7 win to pick up his second save of the year -- his first since Opening Day. The 24-year-old Munoz had struggled to a 6.10 ERA over his previous 10 appearances (10.1 innings). Still, the right-hander has high-end potential and appears to be the next man up behind Sewald in the Mariners' bullpen. Munoz now sports a 2.82 ERA with a 1.12 WHIP and 32:9 K:BB across 22.1 innings this season.

JULY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE