Prospects dim for Zych’s return to Mariners’ bullpen before season ends

The likelihood of right-hander Tony Zych providing the Mariners’ bullpen with a late-season boost dimmed Wednesday when he continued to experience forearm soreness in a bullpen workout.

"It wasn’t as good as he was hoping," manager Scott Servais admitted, "which is a little disappointing. We’d certainly love to have him back for the end of the year.

"I’m not saying he can’t be back (before the season ends), but I was kind of hoping he’d be doing cartwheels as he came out of the bullpen. That wasn’t quite the case. He still felt it a little bit in his forearm."

Zych, 27, was 6-3 with a 2.66 ERA in 45 games before a strained flexor bundle in his elbow forced him to the disabled list after an…