Jarred Kelenic returns as Mariners make series of roster moves

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Seattle made a set of roster moves Wednesday afternoon, a day after they managed only a single infield hit in a 4-1 loss to the lowly Oakland Athletics. Headlining the transactions is the return of outfielder Jarred Kelenic from Triple-A Tacoma.

In addition to Kelenic’s call-up, catcher Luis Torrens has been promoted back to the big leagues from the Rainiers. To make room on the roster, Seattle optioned outfielder Taylor Trammell to Tacoma and designated corner infielder/outfielder Jake Lamb for assignment.

Kelenic, 23, has appeared in 40 games with the Mariners in 2022, posting a slash line of just .124/.187/.265 for an OPS of .452 with four home runs, two doubles and a triple. With the Rainiers, however, there has been an emphasis on him cutting down his strikeouts and improving his walk rate, and the former top prospect has been trending in the right direction as of late in that regard.

Kelenic has an 11-game hitting streak with Tacoma, has reached base in 18 of his last 19 games, and in 15 September games he is hitting .350 (21 for 60) with a .412 on-base percentage, 1.062 OPS, four homers, six doubles, 11 RBIs, six walks and four stolen bases. Over 86 games in Triple-A in 2022, Kelenic has a .296 batting average with 18 homers, 32 doubles, three triples and 65 RBIs.

Did JK get all of it?

Yes ☑️
No ⏹️
Maybe ⏹️pic.twitter.com/28qI8YvlmS

— Tacoma Rainiers (@RainiersLand) September 18, 2022

The Mariners are in the middle of a push towards their first postseason berth in two decades, owning a five-game lead for the final of the American League’s three wild card spots entering Wednesday’s action. Seattle fell just short of the playoffs in 2021, with Kelenic actually being one of the better hitters in the final month for that squad. Over his last 29 games of last season, Kelenic had a slash line of .248/.331/.524 for an .854 OPS with seven homers, six doubles, a triple, 20 RBIs and 12 walks.

The @Mariners went to Jarred. pic.twitter.com/zz87ch8J5N

— MLB (@MLB) September 30, 2021

Torrens, 26, rejoins the team to provide help at catcher with starter Cal Raleigh dealing with a jammed thumb and backup Curt Casali set to go on paternity leave soon, according to Ryan Divish, Mariners beat writer for The Seattle Times. The Mariners designated Torrens for assignment after adding Casali, a trade deadline pickup from the Giants, from the injured list last month. Torrens cleared waivers and was outrighted to Tacoma.

Torrens had the walk-off RBI single in the Mariners’ memorable 1-0 win over the Yankees in 13 innings on Aug. 9, but his season has otherwise been forgettable, hitting just .214 with a home run in 45 games with Seattle. He hit 15 homers in 2021 for the Mariners.

INSTANT CLASSIC. pic.twitter.com/lPiyx71d8T

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) August 10, 2022

Lamb, 31, was another trade deadline acquisition last month by the Mariners, coming from the Dodgers. A native of Seattle’s Queen Anne neighborhood who starred at Bishop Blanchet High School and for the UW Huskies, the left-handed hitter has hit 5 for 30 (.167) with a homer and a double while appearing at four different positions for his hometown club.

Trammell, 25, was one of Seattle’s two call-ups when rosters expanded at the beginning of the month. He went just 1 for 15 since that time at the plate, with the one hit being a home run.

The Mariners play the second game of their three-game series with the Athletics in Oakland at 6:40 p.m. Wednesday night. Coverage will be carried on Seattle Sports 710 AM, the flagship station of the Mariners Radio Network, beginning with the pregame show at 5:30 p.m.

Here is the Mariners’ lineup behind starting pitcher Robbie Ray for Wednesday night:

It's the 21st night of September. pic.twitter.com/bqCz8QASmc

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) September 21, 2022

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