Mariners manager Scott Servais said Tuesday that Zych (elbow) has resumed playing catch and could return before the end of the regular season, Josh Horton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Zych has been on the disabled list since Aug. 20 with a right elbow flexor bundle strain. While he has yet to resume mound work, Zych isn't throwing the towel in on 2017 just yet, though time is beginning to work against him. He'll likely need to complete a bullpen session and face hitters within the next week to have a realistic chance of being activated from the DL and make an appearance prior to the Oct. 1 season finale.

Zych (elbow) didn't make the current road trip with the Mariners but is still working to return at some point before season's end, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old right-hander has been sidelined by a strained flexor bundle in his right elbow since Aug. 19, but the extended absence hasn't dimmed Zych's hope of returning at some point during what's left of 2017. Manager Scott Servais has confirmed that Zych's MRI haven't shown any structural damage, meaning that it will all come down to whether the reliever can throw without discomfort. Zych was an effective member of the bullpen before getting injured, generating a 6-3 record, 2.66 ERA, 12 holds and one save in 45 appearances.

Zych (elbow), who felt tightness after a bullpen last weekend, will resume throwing over the weekend, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Zych experienced some issues in his first bullpen session since landing on the disabled list, but he's been cleared to throw again after MRI results came back clean. He still remains without a timetable for his return, though one should start to materialize as he progresses through his pitching program. In the meantime, Nick Vincent, Emilio Pagan and James Pazos will be tasked with getting the ball to Edwin Diaz.

Zych was placed on the 10-day DL on Tuesday with a right elbow flexor bundle strain.

EDGE Analysis

It has been a struggle for Zych to stay healthy over the past couple years, although he was able to log 40.2 innings in the majors this year before breaking down. He had a 2.66 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 35 strikeouts over that span. It would not be surprising if we don't see Zych pitching again until 2018, although nothing is official on that front. Dan Altavilla was recalled from Triple-A as a corresponding move.

Zych (5-3) allowed three earned runs on two hits and two walks over an inning in Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Angels. He also recorded two strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

Asked to preserve a 3-3 tie entering the eighth, Zych issued a pair of free passes to open the frame before getting touched up for a two-run double by Albert Pujols. He subsequently allowed a third run on a sacrifice fly, leading to his poorest outing of an otherwise impressive season. Saturday's stumble marked first time this year that the right-handed reliever had given up multiple runs in an appearance, and his solid 2.79 ERA and 11 holds keep him a viable fantasy asset in AL-only and deep formats.

Zych notched his 11th hold in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Athletics, firing a scoreless inning in which he recorded a strikeout.

EDGE Analysis

Zych impressively disposed of Khris Davis, Ryon Healy and Matt Olson on a mere nine pitches, posting his third scoreless outing in four August appearances. The 27-year-old has coaxed his ERA down to 2.17 and has notched four holds in his last five appearances.

Zych notched his 10th hold in Sunday's win over Kansas City in Game 1 of a doubleheader, firing a scoreless sixth inning and recording two strikeouts.

EDGE Analysis

Zych fired nine of his 13 pitches for strikes while posting his 12th scoreless effort in the last 14 appearances. The 27-year-old right-hander continues to see a brisk workload and has shown no ill effects from making a career-high 40 appearances thus far. Zych's solid 2.23 ERA, 10 holds and 32 strikeouts over 36.1 innings gives him value in AL-only and deep formats that count holds.

Zych notched his ninth hold in Tuesday's 8-7 win over the Rangers, allowing an earned run on one hit and a hit batsman over one-third of an inning.

EDGE Analysis

Zych's outing was anything but smooth, yet he managed to still log his fifth hold over his last 10 appearances. The 26-year-old right-hander has given up an earned run in two of his last three outings, but his ERA remains a solid 2.36.

Zych (5-2) gave up an earned run on two hits and a walk over two innings in Tuesday's 6-5 extra-inning win over the Red Sox. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Zych had surrendered the go-ahead run on a single by Sandy Leon on the top half of the 13th, but he walked away with his fifth victory of the season thanks to the Mariners' heroics in the home half of the frame. The 26-year-old saw his nine-appearance scoreless streak snapped with that stumble, but he continues to serve as one of the most effective relief options of either handedness on the Mariners.

Zych was credited with his fifth hold in Sunday's 4-0 win over the Athletics, firing a scoreless seventh inning and issuing a walk.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old right-hander thus closes out the first half of the season with three straight scoreless efforts after giving up an earned run in each of his last two appearances of June. Zych established a slew of career highs in the first half of the season, and given that he's posted a solid 2.33 ERA over his first 29 appearances, he figures in for another robust workload in the second half barring injury.