Cishek (biceps) will throw an inning in Thursday's spring game against the Athletics, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cishek made it through Monday's bullpen session without incident, setting him up for a quick return to Cactus League action. He's expected to open the season as Seattle's closer.

Cishek (biceps) successfully threw a 20-pitch bullpen session Monday, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cishek reportedly threw all of his pitches during the bullpen session and seemed pleased with the results. With this good session, it's more likely that the right-hander could be ready to return to game action at some point this week.

Cishek, who has been dealing with soreness in his biceps, will throw a bullpen session Monday, Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cishek has not appeared in a spring game since Mar. 6 due to his injury, but as long as everything goes as planned Monday, he should resume pitching in games at some point this week. He is on track to open the season as the Mariners' closer as long as he is healthy.

Cishek will enter the season as the team's closer, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Mariners brought in Cishek earlier in the week, and while it was expected to compete with Joaquin Benoit for the closer role, the club apparently already feels comfortable enough to give that title to their newest addition. The 29-year-old has 95 career saves to his name, but could have a short leash in that capacity if he struggles with Benoit waiting.

Cishek agreed a two-year, $10 million deal with the Mariners on Saturday, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cishek will land in Seattle as the favorite for the closer role, competing with Joaquin Benoit for the final inning. This comes after Seattle dealing away two strong right-handed relief arms in Carson Smith and Tom Wilhelmsen, so Cishek's arrival will help offset the losses. The 29-year-old will likely have to get over the control issues that plagued him in Miami and St. Louis, where he registered a career-high 4.4 BB/9 in 2015.

The Cardinals declined to tender Cishek a contract for 2016.

EDGE Analysis

The 29-year-old turned his season around after coming over to St. Louis in a July trade, but it was not enough to warrant a $7-plus million price tag for 2016. Cishek, who saved 73 games for the Marlins from 2013-14, will almost certainly sign a major-league deal elsewhere at a reduced cost. His role will depend on where he signs.

Cishek was unable to complete an inning's work Monday, retiring two hitters and walking three before being removed in a 3-0 win over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Cishek's control completely eluded him Monday night; after walks to two of the first three hitters he faced, a free pass to pinch-hitter Michael Morse brought an end to the 29-year-old's night. Few players have seen their fantasy stock fall as far as Cishek in 2015. Beginning the year as Miami's closer, the sidewinder has since been relegated to a middle relief role with the Cardinals after a surprise demotion to Double-A. While Cishek owns a 2.18 ERA as a member of the Cardinals, a 1.44 WHIP will make him difficult to use in high-leverage situations this postseason.

Cishek picked up his fifth hold of the season Monday, pitching a scoreless eighth while striking out one and allowing one hit in the win over Washington.

EDGE Analysis

Cishek has lowered is ERA over a full run since joining the Cardinals in late July, and it now sits at 3.40. He could be an important figure in the bullpen down the stretch as he's only totaled 45 innings thus far this season.

The Miami Marlins traded relief pitcher Steve Cischek to the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, according to the Miami Herald. Cishek has given up just one run in his last 12.2 innings after losing his job as the closer earlier this season.

Cishek was saddled with the loss Tuesday, recording just one out and allowing three runs (zero earned) against the Red Sox. It's been a frustrating season for Cishek who lost his closer job and took a trip to the minors, but he is not to blame for Tuesday's outcome and, oddly enough, earned his third hold of the season in addition to being charged with the loss. He allowed one hit and one walk, but was undone by a costly fielding error that lead to the three base runners who would come around to score with two outs in the inning while Carter Capps was on the mound. All told, Cishek has done a nice job turning things around since returning from the minor leagues, allowing just one earned run over 8.2 innings to go along with eight strikeouts and three walks.