Word is out around major league baseball that 31-year old lefty starting pitcher Cliff Lee is available right now in trade talks. Lee has started 11 games this season for the Mariners and he is 6-3 with a 2.39 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP. He has only given up 75 hits in 86 2/3 innings for the Mariners this year. He has also whiffed 76 batters while only walking 4 which is stunning when you think about it. The Mariners should demand three close to ready prospects that can help out their woeful offense in return for Lee.

The Mariners have placed 26-year old righty reliever Shawn Kelley on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation. Kelley has pitched in 22 games (0 starts) for the Mariners so far this season and he is 3-1 with a 3.96 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. The Mariners have activated 26-year old righty starting pitcher Doug Fister off the D.L. to replace Kelley on the roster. Fister has pitched in 10 games (all starts) for the Mariners this year and he is 3-3 with a 2.45 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. The Mariners are likely very happy to have Fister back in action as he has been a pleasant surprise for them so far this year.

The Mariners have signed 35-year old righty reliever Joe Nelson to a minor league deal. Nelson pitched in 8 games (0 starts) earlier this season for the Red Sox and he was 0-0 with a 9.72 ERA and a 2.40 WHIP. He has now pitched in 157 games (0 starts) in his major league career and he is 7-2 with 13 saves, a 4.38 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Nelson does have issues with control as he has walked 84 batters in only 152 innings in the majors.

The Mariners have traded 27-year old lefty swinging 1B Tommy Everidge from the Astros for future considerations. Everidge has played in 65 games in AAA-ball for the Mariners and he was 57 of 249 (.229 avg, .690 OPS) with 28 runs scored, 7 homers and 36 RBIs. This trade is pretty interesting from a Mariners’ standpoint as they are getting no production out of Everidge’s position.

Recently signed 31-year old righty reliever Scott Patterson is trying to work his way back to the majors with the Mariners. He has pitched in 4 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball so far this season and he is 0-0 with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. Patterson’s only taste of the majors came in 2008 with the Padres & Yankees when he worked in 4 games (0 starts) and he was 0-0 with a 1.93 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP. Patterson could help out the Mariners’ pen at some point if he keeps pitching well in the minors.