UTIL Robinson Canó activated, RHP Casey Lawrence demoted, RHP Sam Tuivailala to 60-day DL

It’s rarely so easy to plan ahead for a transaction, but today’s move was as predictable as it is exciting.

Casey Lawrence, fresh off another ERA-FIP separating disasterpiece last night, will return to Tacoma. Seattle opens a 40-man spot for Robinson Canó with an unfortunately inevitable 60-day DL move for promising reliever Sam Tuivailala. In exchange for a 7-man bullpen which will now look to Félix Hernández as its long-reliever, Seattle receives the strongest potential offensive addition for its stretch run. The Mariners could swing their fates dramatically with a pair of victories tonight and tomorrow in Oakland, and Robi’s return is a glad wind in their sails.

Will he start at second, giving Dee Gordon another day to rest his shoulder and toe? Will he spell the struggling Ryon Healy or Kyle Seager? We’ll find out soon, but either way, the first great hitter the Mariners have had since Ichiro departed is back.