SEATTLE MARINERS

Mariners designate scuffling 2019 All-Star Daniel Vogelbach for assignment

Aug 19, 2020, 3:23 PM

Mariners Daniel Vogelbach...

Daniel Vogelbach is hitting .094 with two home runs in 18 games this season. (Getty)

(Getty)

The Mariners tenure of slugger Daniel Vogelbach may be at its end.

Mariners option struggling outfielder Mallex Smith to Tacoma

Seattle announced ahead of a five-game homestand Wednesday afternoon that it has designated the 27-year-old first baseman/designated hitter for assignment. That was one of a handful of roster moves the Mariners made, along with:

• Outfielder Braden Bishop and infielder Sam Haggerty recalled from the team’s alternate training site in Tacoma.

• Right-handed reliever Art Warren optioned to Tacoma.

• Right-handed reliever Bryan Shaw outrighted to Tacoma after clearing waivers following his own DFA last week.

The big news is of course Vogelbach, who was something of a phenomenon in the first half of the 2019 MLB season for the Mariners, his first full campaign in the big leagues. Over 85 games before the All-Star break, he hit .238 with 21 home runs, 51 RBIs, 61 walks, an impressive .375 on-base percentage and .881 OPS, earning him the nod as Seattle’s lone representative in the MLB All-Star Game in Cleveland.

Unfortunately it’s been all downhill since then.

Vogelbach hit just .162 with nine home runs, a .286 on-base percentage and .626 OPS in the remaining 59 games he appeared in after the All-Star break in 2019, striking out 70 times to just 31 walks. It hasn’t gotten any better in the shortened 2020 season, either. In 64 plate appearances over 18 games, he’s hitting just .094 with two home runs, 11 walks, 13 strikeouts, a .250 on-base percentage and .226 slugging percentage, adding up to a .476 OPS.

The poor numbers at the plate made it pretty hard for the Mariners to keep Vogelbach on their active roster as he’s not a strong defender and Seattle has a Gold Glove candidate in rookie Evan White now playing first base. As a result, Vogelbach’s only appearances this season have come as the team’s DH or as a pinch hitter.

There’s no guarantee this is the end of Vogelbach in Seattle, however. He could be outrighted to Tacoma like Shaw was if Seattle doesn’t find a trade partner for him or he clears waivers without another team claiming his contract.

The Mariners acquired Vogelbach in a midseason trade with the Cubs in 2016, general manager Jerry Dipoto’s first year with the team. Seattle sent left-handed pitcher Mike Montgomery to Chicago in the four-player deal. Vogelbach was drafted by the Cubs in 2011 as an 18-year-old. He made his MLB debut in eight games with the Mariners in 2016, then appeared in 16 big league games in 2017 and 37 in 2018 before becoming a regular member of the team’s starting lineup last year.

Haggerty and Bishop, both 26, are joining the Mariners’ roster for the first time this season. Haggerty played 11 games with the Mets last year, his first MLB season, and Bishop debuted with Seattle in 2019, playing in 27 games.

Warren was called up for the first time this season Tuesday but did not appear in a game before being sent back to Tacoma.

Follow 710Sports.com’s Brent Stecker on Twitter.

ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan shares observations of M’s young core

Mariners Roof Report

Brought to you by
Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny
High 56° | Low 40°
Roof is open
Red Sox at Mariners today at 6:40pm

Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners Mitch Haniger Dylan Moore...

Brandon Gustafson

Mariners Highs and Lows: What stands out from opening day loss

The Seattle Mariners fell to the Red Sox on opening day, and there were some takeaways – good and bad – to be had from the loss.

54 minutes ago

Seattle Mariners Boston Red Sox Tyler O'Neill...

The Associated Press

Mariners drop opener 6-4 as Boston’s O’Neill makes history

Tyler O’Neill homered in his fifth straight opening day game to set a major league record, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Seattle Mariners 6-4.

2 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Mitch Haniger...

Brandon Gustafson

Welcome Back: Mitch Haniger blasts homer in Mariners return

Mitch Haniger kicked off his return to the Seattle Mariners with a bang, blasting a 2-run home run to right field in his second at-bat.

3 hours ago

Nelson Cruz Seattle Mariners...

Brent Stecker

After throwing out 1st pitch, Nelson Cruz retires as a Mariner

Nelson Cruz threw out the first pitch at Seattle Mariners opening day, then signed a one-day contract to retire with the team.

4 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Julio Rodriguez...

Brandon Gustafson

Mariners Notebook: ‘Consistent pressure’ theme for lineup in 2024

Scott Servais expects big things from the Seattle Mariners' lineup in 2024, as he shared ahead of their opener against the Boston Red Sox.

8 hours ago

Seattle Mariners lineup Julio Rodríguez...

Brent Stecker

See the first Mariners lineup of 2024 for opening day vs Red Sox

The Seattle Mariners' batting order for opening day of the 2024 MLB season against Boston showcases an improved amount of length.

10 hours ago

Mariners designate scuffling 2019 All-Star Daniel Vogelbach for assignment