Milone (neck) returned to action for Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday and allowed four earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two over 1.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Seattle released Milone on Aug. 4 while he on the injured list with a cervical muscle strain, but he re-signed with the organization on a minor-league deal two weeks later. He still needed some additional time to move past the injury before he was cleared to pitch for the Mariners' top affiliate last week. Milone was deployed as a starter Thursday and looks like he'll continue to get stretched out as a member of Tacoma's rotation.

Milone (neck) re-signed Aug. 19 with the Mariners on a minor-league contract.

EDGE Analysis

Before he was cut loose by the Mariners on Aug. 9, Milone was on Seattle's injured list with a cervical muscle strain. Given that he hasn't appeared for Triple-A Tacoma since re-signing with Seattle, Milone is presumably still recovering from the injury. Prior to being released earlier this month, the veteran lefty generated a 5.40 ERA and 1.20 WHIP across 16.2 innings with the big club.

The Mariners released Milone (neck) on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

With the Mariners needing to clear room on the 40-man roster in the aftermath of last week's trade deadline, Milone became a casualty. The Mariners either viewed Milone as an inessential left-handed arm in the bullpen or weren't confident that he would make an expedient return from the cervical muscle strain that resulted in him landing on the injured list July 30. Milone covered 16.2 innings out of the Seattle bullpen this season and posted a 5.40 ERA and 1.20 WHIP.

Milone was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a cervical muscle strain, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

He gave up four earned runs in one inning Friday and perhaps the neck issue was bothering him or was sustained during that appearance. Brennan Bernardino was brought up from Triple-A to take Milone's place in the bullpen.

Milone logged 2.1 innings out of the bullpen in a loss to the Astros on Sunday, allowing two earned runs on a hit and three walks while recording a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran left-hander had recently been moved back to the bullpen, and Sunday's uneven performance may have partly been the result of Milone last having pitched July 13. The 35-year-old is likely to continue primarily seeing multi-inning relief assignments, which could certainly set him up to qualify for the occasional decision or hold.

Milone is expected to work out of the bullpen to begin the Mariners' second-half schedule, as Seattle intends to call up George Kirby from Triple-A Tacoma to take the hill when a fifth starter is first needed Tuesday against the Rangers, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran lefty had already made his last appearance before the All-Star break out of the bullpen, though he had been deployed as the primary pitcher behind an opener in a July 13 doubleheader matchup with the Nationals. Milone will now serve in a more traditional relief role following the break, with most of his opportunities likely to come in mop-up situations.

Milone will pitch behind opener Erik Swanson during the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Nationals, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Milone was initially listed as Seattle's scheduled starter for Wednesday's nightcap, but he'll instead serve as a bulk reliever. The southpaw has posted a 3.60 ERA and 0.70 WHIP in 10 innings over four appearances for the Mariners this year.

The Mariners list Milone as their scheduled starting pitcher for the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader with the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

Milone might have been a candidate to work behind an opener Wednesday, but with Tuesday's postponement creating a doubleheader, the Mariners seem content to deploy the lefty as a traditional starter. The 35-year-old southpaw hasn't covered more than four frames in any of his four appearances for Seattle this season, but he should be fairly stretched out after tossing six shutout innings in his final outing at Triple-A Tacoma on June 14 prior to joining the big club.

Milone is expected to start or follow an opener Wednesday against the Nationals, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran left-hander has totaled 10 frames over four appearances since having his contract selected by Seattle in mid-June, so he's unlikely to have a chance at a win if he starts Wednesday's contest. Milone has a 3.60 ERA, 0.70 WHIP and 4:0 K:BB this season.

Milone fired two scoreless innings in a win over the Athletics on Wednesday, allowing one hit.

EDGE Analysis

Milone mopped up in the Mariners' blowout win, getting his six outs on an efficient 27 pitches. The veteran southpaw has been highly effective over two appearances with the big-league club after fashioning a 1.13 ERA and 0.84 WHIP in seven starts with Triple-A Tacoma, as he's allowed just one run on three hits over six innings in his first pair of outings in Seattle.