Mariners recall Justin Upton, option Sam Haggerty to Triple-A
Jun 17, 2022, 12:53 PM
Justin Upton catches a fly ball at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 31, 2020. (John McCoy/Getty Images)
(John McCoy/Getty Images)
A little less than a month after he was signed to an MLB deal, veteran outfielder Justin Upton has been recalled from Triple-A Tacoma and will be joining the Mariners for their game Friday night against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels. To make room for Upton on the MLB roster, utility man Sam Haggerty has been optioned to Tacoma.
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Upton, 34, is a four-time All-Star who has been in the big leagues since 2007. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks and has spent time in his career with the Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers and Angels. He will wear No. 8 for the Mariners.
Upton owns a .262/.343/.431 slash line with 324 home runs and 1,000 RBIs in 1,828 games over 15 seasons. He was designated for assignment by the Angels near the end of spring training and the Mariners signed him on May 21. Upton hit .211 with 17 home runs and 41 RBIs for the Angels in 2021.
In 12 games for the Rainiers since his signing, Upton slashed .200/.289/.378 with two home runs and six RBIs while drawing six walks and striking out 18 times. Upton started out just 4 for 33 (.121) in his first eight games, but he went 5 for 12 (.417) to finish out his Triple-A tenure.
With Mitch Haniger out with an ankle injury and Jarred Kelenic in Triple-A, Upton was signed to play right field. He will likely share that duty with Taylor Trammell, who has played right field primarily against right-handed pitching. With Upton being a right-handed hitter, he may either platoon with Trammell depending on the starting pitcher, or he may see time at designated hitter as the Mariners are without a clear option there due to Kyle Lewis being on the concussion IL.
Haggerty has appeared in 13 games for Seattle this season and slashed .188/.278/.250 in 18 plate appearances.
Another Mariners roster move can be expected in the next few days as MLB is reducing the maximum amount of pitchers allowed on the 26-man roster from 14 to 13. Seattle currently has 14 pitchers on the roster and will need to make a roster move by Monday to abide by the new rules.
