Mariners option Mike Zunino to Triple-A, recall Tuffy Gosewisch
May 5, 2017, 5:45 PM
Mike Zunino, still looking for his first home run of 2017, has been optioned back to the minor leagues. (AP)
(AP)
The Mariners made another big roster move before Friday’s series opener against Texas, announcing less than two hours before first pitch that catcher Mike Zunino has been optioned to Triple-A Tacoma and Tuffy Gosewisch has been recalled in his place.
The Zunino move comes a few hours after the Mariners put pitcher James Paxton on the DL.
Zunino, a former first-round pick of Seattle, has struggled mightily at the plate this season with the M’s. He has a .167 batting average, no home runs, and 30 strikeouts to six walks in 80 plate appearances.
Zunino’s MLB career has seen its share of ups and downs. The 26-year-old is a very strong defensive catcher and has light-tower power as a hitter – he even hit 22 home runs in 2014 – but his approach at the plate has long been a point of concern. He spent the first half of 2016 back in Triple-A, and while his return to the big leagues last season began with a prolonged hot streak, he ended the campaign in a slump. He has not shaken that funk through the first month-plus of 2017.
Gosewisch, 33, has appeared in 126 career MLB games, all to this point for Arizona. He is hitting .240 with Tacoma and reached base safely in all 16 games with the Rainiers that he has appeared at the plate. He will be in uniform for Friday’s 7:10 game against Texas.
With Zunino in Tacoma, the 38-year-old Carlos Ruiz figures to be Seattle’s starting catcher for the time being. Ruiz is starting in Friday’s game behind the plate.
