Notebook: Mariners claim OF prospect Jose Siri in wake of Haniger’s setback

Feb 3, 2020, 12:59 PM | Updated: 3:31 pm

Jose Siri could compete for an open spot in the Mariners' outfield in spring training. (Getty)

(Getty)

Mariners Insider, Seattle Sports

With Mariners pitchers and catchers due to report to spring training next Wednesday, Feb. 12, the Mariners continued to add to their roster Monday, claiming outfielder Jose Siri off waivers from the Reds.

Mariners lock up Marco Gonzales through 2024 with 4-year extension

In order to make room for Siri on the roster, reliever Matt Festa has been DFA’d.

Siri spent the majority of the 2019 season at Double-A Chattanooga where he hit .251 with 11 home runs, 15 doubles and a triple in 366 at bats. He could factor into the mix for a big league spot with Mitch Haniger out to start the season but more likely is an intriguing project – he entered 2019 ranked by Baseball America as the Reds’ No. 9 prospect and was ranked 15th by MLB Pipeline at the time of the claim. He is an older prospect at 24 years old but has displayed power potential and is considered a strong defensive center fielder.

Siri has one minor league option remaining that would enable the Mariners to start his season at Double-A Arkansas or Triple-A Tacoma without exposing him to waivers.

With Monday’s moves, the 40-man roster remains at 40.

Mariners Hot Stove Show

Just three episodes of the Mariners Hot Stove Show remain before the entire crew lands in Peoria and the Cactus League Report kicks into gear. We have got a great show lined up for 7 p.m. Tuesday night with five guests. They are:

• Mariners assistant general manager Justin Hollander, who will help sort out the new rules we will see in 2020

• Infielder Patrick Wisdom, one of Seattle’s offseason additions

• Jeff Fletcher from the Orange County Register to get us up to date with the Angels

• Mariners senior vice president of sales Frances Traisma, who has the info on ticket plans

• Tip Wonhoff from the Northwest Chapter of the Society of American Baseball Research (SABR)

ICYMI

Justin Dunn, who the Mariners hope will prove to be ready to take a spot in the rotation coming out of spring training, joined the MLB Network last week to talk about his thought process while pitching and share a look at his pitch grips.