Mariners’ signing of RP Nick Vincent proves more and more important

HOUSTON – The move by the Mariners in late March to acquire right-handed reliever Nick Vincent from San Diego continues to grow in importance as injuries decimate the bullpen.

The latest casualty is right-hander Tony Zych, who is expected to miss four to six weeks because of tendinitis in his rotator cuff. He joins Joaquin Benoit, Charlie Furbush, Evan Scribner and Aaron Cook on the disabled list.

All of which is pushing Vincent, who spent the previous four years bouncing between the Padres and the minor leagues, into higher-leverage situations. So far, Vincent is delivering: a 1.74 ERA in 11 games.

“It speaks to the job our front-office guys have done in identifying players like that,” manager Scott Servais said. “We had some injuries in camp, bullpen-wise. So you kind of look at who is available, who is out there.”

Servais admitted he “did not know Nick Vincent” when general manager Jerry Dipoto first mentioned him as a possible acquisition target after injuries in spring training removed Scribner and Cook as right-handed bullpen options.

“Jerry filled me in quickly on (Vincent’s) track record,” Servais said, “and the fact that he tried to acquire him in the past. He thought he would be a great fit for where we were.

“He’s attacked every time he comes in. He goes right after them. He knows who he is, and he executes.”

Vincent, 29, brings that attack mentality and what teammate Steve Cishek calls a “nasty cut fastball” to the mound.

“I don’t throw around hitters,” Vincent said. “I’m not a big walk guy. I might give up a home run or two, but I’m usually in there when there are guys on base.

“They call me the bulldog on the mound because I’m 5-10, 5-11 and 175 pounds. I’m not a big guy, but I’m not afraid of anybody up there.”

Why Vincent couldn’t stick with the Padres is anybody’s guess. He compiled a 2.63 ERA for them in 161 games over part of four years. But the Padres made him available this spring because he was out of options, and they didn’t see a fit.

The Mariners acquired him on March 30 for a player to be named later.

“He’s been an excellent performer during the time he’s had in the big leagues,” Dipoto said after making the deal. “He’s neutralized right-handed hitters over 162 outings. There’s no reason to expect that to change.”

In fact, Vincent is being asked to do more. He was summoned Monday in the seventh inning of a one-run game at Oakland and retired both batters he faced in registering his fourth “hold” of the season.

“It’s a confidence booster, for sure,” he said. “But by the same means, my job is not any different when he puts me in that spot. Or if (we’re) down by two. For me, it’s go out, attack hitters and get outs.”