Justus Sheffield - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Gets minors deal from Atlanta Sheffield signed a minor-league contract with Atlanta on May 4.

Impact Sheffield has been assigned to the organization's Florida Complex League affiliate and their season hasn't started yet, so Atlanta might be having him work on his mechanics before elevating him to a season-long team. The left-hander was released by the Mariners last month after allowing 13 earned runs across his first 8.1 innings with Triple-A Tacoma this year.

MAY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Released by Seattle Sheffield was released by the Mariners on Thursday, Mike Curto of the Tacoma Rainiers' broadcast team reports.

Impact Sheffield was designated for assignment during the offseason and had surrendered 13 earned runs across his first 8.1 innings with Triple-A Tacoma this season. Given that, it's not particularly surprising he was released, though it's still a significant fall for a formerly well-regarded prospect.

APRIL 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sent outright to Triple-A Sheffield cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma by the Mariners on Thursday.

Impact Sheffield got the boot off the 40-man roster last week to open up a 40-man roster spot for Tommy La Stella. A former top prospect, Sheffield holds a career 5.47 ERA in 186 innings (33 starts, 15 relief appearances) at the major-league level. It's certainly notable that he didn't draw much interest from other MLB teams on the waiver wire leading into what will be his age-27 campaign.

JANUARY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Designated for assignment Sheffield was designated for assignment by the Mariners on Thursday.

Impact Sheffield made double-digit appearances in the majors in 2020 and 2021 but was limited to just six appearances (one start) for the Mariners last year. He posted a 3.86 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 11.2 innings and will lose his spot on the 40-man roster after the team signed Tommy La Stella on Thursday.

JANUARY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Victorious in first start Sheffield (1-0) earned the win in Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader win against Detroit, allowing five runs on seven hits and four walks with four strikeouts in five innings.

Impact Making his first appearance since April 27, Sheffield was up as the 29th man for Tuesday's doubleheader and earned the win despite pitching poorly. The 26-year-old surrendered the bulk of the damage on a Kody Clemens grand slam in the fifth inning while also loading the bases in the first and third, though he was able to escape those frames with just one run of damage. The former top prospect barely pitched in the majors this year -- he compiled a 3.86 ERA in 11.2 innings -- following a subpar 2021 and his chances in the big leagues may be running out.

OCTOBER 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Game 2 on Tuesday Sheffield will start Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Tigers, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

Impact Considering Sheffield has a 5.37 career MLB ERA and hasn't thrown more than three innings in an outing since he threw five innings Sept. 6 at Triple-A, he is highly unlikely to qualify for a win in this spot start. This should resemble more of a bullpen game. Sheffield is up as the 29th man.

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Up as 29th man Sheffield is up as the 29th man for Tuesday's doubleheader against the Tigers.

Impact The Mariners do not have a confirmed starter for the nightcap, but Sheffield has not pitched more than three innings in an outing since Sept. 6, so he would likely need to follow an opener or appear as a middle reliever to qualify for a win if he is used Tuesday.

OCTOBER 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Moves past stiff neck Sheffield (neck) struck out three and allowed three earned runs on six hits and two walks over five innings in his most recent outing for Triple-A Tacoma on Wednesday.

Impact Sheffield missed only one turn through the Tacoma rotation after a stiff neck resulted in his first start out of the All-Star break being skipped. Over 64.1 innings for the Triple-A club this season, Sheffield has compiled a 6.85 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 60:23 K:BB.

AUGUST 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with neck stiffness Sheffield was scratched from his scheduled start Friday for Triple-A Tacoma while in pregame warmups due to stiffness in his neck, but the Rainiers are still hoping he'll take the...

Impact The left-hander has produced a 2-0 record but a 5.34 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 28.2 innings covering his first five starts since returning to Tacoma after serving as the 27th man for a doubleheader in mid-June against the Angels. Sheffield's status should be the subject of an update early in the week as his next scheduled start draws nearer.

JULY 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to Triple-A The Mariners optioned Sheffield to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday.

Impact Sheffield was returned to the minors one day after Seattle designated him as its 27th man for a doubleheader with the Angels. He appeared in the second game of Saturday's twin bill, striking out one and allowing one hit and no walks over two scoreless frames in relief.

JUNE 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Joins active roster as 27th man Sheffield was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma to serve as the 27th man during Saturday's doubleheader against the Angels.

Impact Sheffield made four appearances out of the Mariners' bullpen in April and tossed 4.2 scoreless innings. However, he's been working as a starter in Tacoma, where he posted an 8.51 ERA and 1.75 WHIP in 30.2 innings over eight starts. The southpaw should be available to pitch multiple innings during Saturday's twin bill before presumably returning to the minors.

JUNE 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rounding into form as starter Sheffield started Triple-A Tacoma's loss to Sacramento on Sunday and allowed an earned run on four hits over five innings. He struck out six.

Impact A second-inning solo home run was the only real damage sustained by Sheffield, who's now pitched to a 3.00 ERA over nine innings across his last two starts. That sample is a significant improvement on Sheffield's first two turns with the Rainiers upon a May 1 demotion from the Mariners, as he allowed nine earned runs on nine hits over 3.1 innings in that pair of starts following four appearances out of the bullpen for Seattle in the first three weeks-plus of the season.

MAY 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

MLB roster cuts: Mets DFA Canó, Yankees option Andújar

With MLB rosters cut from 28 to 26, Robinson Cano is out in New York. Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman break down Monday's biggest moves.

MAY 3, 2022 • FOX SPORTS

MLB roster cuts: Mets DFA Canó, Yankees option Andújar

Demoted as part of roster cuts Sheffield was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday, Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports.

Impact Sheffield made four relief appearances for the Mariners during the first few weeks of the regular season, and he struck out two in 4.2 scoreless frames. However, he'll head to the Tacoma, where he'll likely be part of the starting rotation.

MAY 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Another impressive appearance Sheffield fired two scoreless innings in a loss to the Rays on Wednesday, allowing no hits and one walk.

Impact The left-hander continues to carry an unblemished ERA through four appearances, with manager Scott Servais affording him plenty of rest between outings. Sheffield, a one-time member of the rotation, worked his first multi-inning outing of the season Wednesday, and he'll likely be one of the primary candidates to log spot starts should any starting pitcher go down with injury.

APRIL 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sparse usage early Sheffield has logged just one appearance thus far in 2022, firing a perfect inning during which recorded a strikeout Sunday against the Twins.

Impact The big left-hander was expected to open the season in a likely long-relief role, but manager Scott Servais interestingly has called his number just once, and for a one-inning appearance at that. Sheffield will naturally start to see some work as the season unfolds, but he may have a difficult time working back into the starting rotation if No. 5 starter Matt Brash continues to pitch well.

APRIL 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Long relief in Tuesday's loss Sheffield worked out of the bullpen in a Cactus League loss to the Royals on Tuesday, allowing three unearned runs on a hit and two walks across 2.2 innings. He struck out one.

Impact The left-hander has now logged a pair of multi-inning relief outings in his only two appearances of spring, and he ran into some trouble Tuesday after firing a pair of scoreless frames in his Cactus League debut against the Guardians on Thursday. While Sheffield may still have an outside chance at the No. 5 spot in the rotation to open the season, both Matt Brash and George Kirby have impressed in their bids for that role. Meanwhile, it's also possible Sheffield is more valuable for the time being as another left-handed option out of the bullpen that can help ease the burden on fellow southpaw Anthony Misiewicz.

MARCH 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Competing for starting role Sheffield is building up for starting duty in spring training and is expected to compete for a spot in the Mariners' Opening Day rotation, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Impact The 25-year-old lefty broke camp last season as a member of the rotation, but after posting a 6.48 ERA in 73.2 innings over his 15 starts, the Mariners opted to use him out of the bullpen when he returned to the roster in September following a seven-week stint on the injured list with a forearm strain. Sheffield didn't fare any better in a limited sample of relief appearances, so Seattle will continue to develop him a starter with the hope that a full offseason of recovery will translate to better results in 2022. Even when he was a more serviceable starter for the big club in 2020, Sheffield relied heavily on weak contact to get outs rather than making bats miss, so his fantasy upside may not be especially high even if things break right for him.

MARCH 14, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A Sheffield was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.

Impact Sheffield had been filling a relief role since he returned from a forearm strain at the start of September. He hasn't been good in that role, allowing nine runs (eight earned) in 6.2 innings of work while walking eight batters and striking out just six. Wyatt Mills was recalled to take his place in the bullpen.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Multi-inning relief stint in loss Sheffield allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk over 2.1 innings of relief in a loss to the Astros on Monday.

Impact The left-handed starter-turned-reliever was relatively solid over his 40-pitch outing, which marked his third out of the bullpen since being activated from the injured list Sept. 1. Sheffield's other two relief appearances consisted of scoreless one-inning efforts in which he picked up a win, so he's certainly been effective overall in his new role.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Earns relief win Sheffield (7-8) fired a perfect ninth inning while striking out one, earning the win over the Diamondbacks on Friday.

Impact Sheffield entered the ninth inning in a tie game and retired the side to force extra innings. Seattle scored in the 10th inning and held the lead to give him the win. He now has a win in both of his relief appearances since coming off the injured list Wednesday. The 25-year-old has struggled this season with a 6.30 ERA and 1.74 WHIP with 60 punchouts in 75.2 innings. He will likely continue to pitch out of the bullpen with Tyler Anderson taking his spot in the starting rotation, unless the Mariners decide to utilize a six-man rotation.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Earns win in relief Sheffield (6-8) earned the win over the Astros on Wednesday after tossing a scoreless sixth inning while allowing a hit. He did not walk or strike out a batter.

Impact Sheffield made his first appearance of the season out of the bullpen Wednesday after being activated from 10-day injured list. The 25-year-old had been sidelined since July 7 with a left forearm strain and made his return as a reliever after starting his prior 15 appearances this year. Sheffield relieved starter Logan Gilbert to open the sixth and retired the side on 16 pitches. The left-hander earned the win after the Mariners scored a run in the bottom half of the frame and held on to the 1-0 advantage the rest of the way. Sheffield struggled to a 6.48 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in 15 starts before Wednesday's appearance and figures to remain as a middle reliever unless someone in the rotation picks up an injury.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Activated by Mariners Sheffield (forearm) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Wednesday.

Impact Sheffield had been sidelined since early July due to a left forearm strain, but he recently made four rehab appearances at Triple-A Tacoma and posted a 9.82 ERA and 1.97 WHIP in 7.1 innings across four outings (two starts). The southpaw served as a starter in each of his first 15 major-league appearances of the season but will take on a bullpen role now that he's been activated.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Strong rehab relief effort Sheffield (forearm) was credited with a hold in his most recent rehab appearance for Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday, firing a perfect seventh inning during which he recorded two strikeo...

Impact Sheffield's strong outing was not only in welcome contrast to a rocky effort against Salt Lake on Thursday, but it was flawless in that he threw all seven of his pitches for strikes. The left-hander will serve as a reliever for the Mariners when he's finally activated off the injured list, so his ability to thrive in such a role Sunday was an especially welcome sight.

AUGUST 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Hit hard in rehab relief outing Sheffield (forearm) allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and a walk over one inning in Triple-A Tacoma's win over Salt Lake on Thursday. He struck out one.

Impact On the heels of the news Sheffield will return to the Mariners as a reliever upon being activated from the injured list, the left-hander had a tough time in that very role. The 25-year-old has actually given up multiple earned runs in all three of his rehab appearances to date, leading to an 11.37 ERA and 2.21 WHIP over his 6.1 innings with the Rainiers.

AUGUST 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

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MLB roster cuts: Mets DFA Canó, Yankees option Andújar