Doolittle allowed three hits and recorded a strikeout over a scoreless inning in an extra-innings loss to the Royals on Friday, his Mariners debut.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran reliever put in some work during his one frame, but he was sharp while getting 15 of 20 pitches into the strike zone. Doolittle was serviceable during his time with the Reds this season before being placed on waivers, and his considerable experience could make him quite an asset down the stretch in a variety of relief roles.

Doolittle was added to the Mariners' active roster Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The 34-year-old was claimed off waivers by Seattle on Thursday, and he'll join the major-league bullpen a day later after right-hander Wyatt Mills was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma. Doolittle made 45 relief appearances with the Reds before he was designated for assignment, and he posted a 4.46 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in 38.1 innings while converting just one of his five save chances.

Doolittle was claimed off waivers by the Mariners on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle was cast off the Reds' 40-man roster Tuesday, but he'll join the Mariners after right-hander Keynan Middleton was designated for assignment Thursday. The southpaw has high-leverage experience but converted just one of his five save chances in 45 relief appearances with the Reds to begin the season. However, since Middleton was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday, it appears as though Doolittle won't immediately join the big-league club.

The Reds designated Doolittle for assignment Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran lefty has a 4.46 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 41:18 K:BB in 38.1 innings of relief this season. An experienced arm with championship experience, Doolittle figures to draw interest on waivers, though it remains to be seen whether another team takes a flier on him. If he goes unclaimed, Doolittle will have the option to remain with Triple-A Louisville or enter free agency. Tejay Antone (forearm) was activated from the 10-day injured list in a corresponding move Tuesday.

Doolittle has velocity to his fastball, working in the 95-97 mph range in his last couple of appearances, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle has pitched only sparsely recently, having pitched twice in the month of August heading into Saturday's game. He worked on lowering his arm angle which had the effect of increasing his velocity.

Doolittle was tagged with a blown save Saturday, allowing a hit and an inherited runner to score in one-third of an inning. He also had one strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle came on with two out in the ninth inning to preserve a 4-3 lead after Heath Hembree had put the tying run in scoring position with a walk and a wild pitch. Tasked with facing lefty Dominic Smith, Doolittle gave up a game-tying single for his fourth blown-save in five chances this year. He struck out Kevin Pillar one batter later to end the inning. The 34-year-old Doolittle is 3-1 in 41 appearances with a 4.19 ERA and 1.57 WHIP.

Doolittle allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits in 0.1 innings to take the loss Saturday against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle entered a 4-4 game in the 11th inning and allowed an RBI double to Christian Yelich and a single to Willy Adames, who later came around to score on a sacrifice fly after Doolittle had been replaced by Ryan Hendrix. Doolittle had entered the day having gone five straight appearances without allowing a run, but Saturday's performance left him with a 4.65 ERA and 1.65 WHIP in 31 innings this season. Opposing batters are hitting .290 off of the veteran lefty.

After a series of poor results while relying heavily on his fastball, Doolittle has started changing his pitch mix, working heavily with pitching coach Derek Johnson, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Doolittle threw his first slider of the season and his first changeup since 2016 in Sunday's scoreless inning against the Braves.

EDGE Analysis

Over the course of the season, Doolittle has thrown 434 fastballs of his 481 pitches altogether, with an average fastball velocity of 92.8 mph, down from 2019. He's been getting diminishing returns from that fastball, allowing a 4.55 ERA and 1.66 WHIP over 27.2 innings, falling out of the mix for primary roles in the Reds' bullpen in the process. Cincinnati's bullpen has pitched so poorly in the aggregate, however, that if these changes stick, Doolittle could work his way back into the mix for a more important role.

Doolittle has allowed at least one run in his last three outings, including giving up homers in his last two appearances.

EDGE Analysis

With Tejay Antone on the IL, there's a short-term opportunity for Doolittle to take on a more prominent role in the Reds' bullpen, but it doesn't appear that he's capable of filling it. Doolittle has allowed five homers and 11 walks in his 21.2 innings pitched, negating the impact of his 29 strikeouts. He currently sits with a 4.98 ERA and 1.57 WHIP.

Doolittle (3-0) allowed a hit and struck out two to earn the win Sunday versus Colorado.

EDGE Analysis

Doolittle pitched well in the eighth inning before Cincinnati scored twice to take the lead in the ninth. Tejay Antone held on for the save to give Doolittle the win. The 34-year-old has a 4.20 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 22: K:BB across 15 innings this season. The southpaw has worked as a closer before, but he has one save, two blown saves and a hold in 17 appearances. He'll likely remain in a high-leverage role, even if that doesn't involve ninth-inning duties.