Mariners hope Dae-Ho Lee can regain timing at plate in Triple-A
Aug 19, 2016, 5:17 PM
(AP)
The ever-expanding list of Mariners players sent to Triple-A in attempts to revive their seasons now includes Dae-Ho Lee.
The 34-year-old first baseman was optioned to Tacoma on Friday afternoon along with pitcher Joe Wieland, with Stefan Romero recalled from the Rainiers to primarily play first base against left-handed pitchers and reliever Steve Cishek activated from the 15-day disabled list to take their roster spots.
Lee has 13 home runs and 41 RBIs in his debut MLB season, but the South Korean slugger has struggled over the second half of the season, seeing his average drop to .246. Since the All-Star break, Lee has just one homer, six hits and six walks in 65 plate appearances for a .101 average, .246 on-base percentage and .200 slugging percentage.
Both Lee and Mariners manager Scott Servais pointed to an issue with his timing and confidence at the plate when talking to members of the media Friday afternoon. Lee also mentioned that he had dealt with a minor injury that caused an issue.
“Right after the All-Star break, I had a hand problem. After that, I didn’t bat much and was just physically challenged,” Lee said through an interpreter, adding that his hand is no longer bothering him.
Lee said general manager Jerry Dipoto told him that playing every day in Triple-A rather than in a platoon in Seattle would help him get his timing back.
Servais said Lee recognized why he was sent to Tacoma.
“He understands. He totally understands. Like, ‘Hey, I need to help out. I need to do my part,'” Servais said. “I think the big thing with Dae-Ho, he’s been on a pretty significant slide since the All-Star break, trying to get his timing going, and I think confidence-wise is down. I’ve met with him a couple of times, (hitting coach Edgar Martinez) has tried to get some things going, (and) timing with his swing just isn’t happening.”
Romero, 27, hasn’t played much first base in his career but did get a good look there in spring training and has appeared at the position in 15 Triple-A games this year. He’s naturally an outfielder, and Servais didn’t rule out playing Romero at a position other than first.
Romero rode a big offensive spring into his regular season with the Rainiers, earning a starting outfield spot for the Pacific Coast League in the Triple-A All-Star Game. He has a .314 average, 19 home runs, 80 RBIs and a .922 OPS in 96 games with Tacoma. He went 3 for 15 in eight games during a previous stint with Seattle this year.
Cishek returns in a new role
Cishek has served as the Mariners’ closer for the majority of the season, but Edwin Diaz (8 for 8 in save chances) has established himself in that role since first getting a save opportunity on Aug. 2. That was the same day Cishek last appeared in a Mariners game and two days before Cishek was placed on the DL.
Dipoto said Thursday on “Danny, Dave and Moore” that Cishek, 30, would assume a set-up role upon his return to the team, and Servais reiterated that on Friday.
On the season, Cishek has a 3.40 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 62 strikeouts and 16 walks in 47 2/3 innings of work. He is 25 for 31 in save chances.
The Mariners may opt to use the side-arming Cishek as more of a matchup option against right-handed hitters. He is holding righties to a .153 average and .490 OPS, while lefties have a .250 average, .841 OPS and are responsible for five of the eight home runs he has given up this year.