Mariners make 8 roster moves, including demoting Jarred Kelenic to Triple-A

The Mariners made a flurry of roster moves Friday afternoon ahead of their series opener in New York against the Mets, including demoting outfielder Jarred Kelenic to Triple-A Tacoma and activating veteran reliever Sergio Romo from the injured list.

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Here’s a look at every move the Mariners made on Friday.

Jarred Kelenic to Tacoma

After a great month of September to finish out his rookie year, Kelenic was looked to to take a step forward in 2022.

Unfortunately for him and the Mariners, Kelenic never got his footing, slashing .140/.219/.291 with three home runs and 36 strikeouts in 30 games.

Kelenic has played a lot of right field with Mitch Haniger out with an ankle injury, but he has seen some days off against left-handed pitching.

Kelenic will head to Triple-A Tacoma to try and get right for his eventual callup.

Sergio Romo activated

The Mariners added a proven arm to their bullpen late in the spring in Sergio Romo, but he pitched just two innings before landing on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation.

The 15-year MLB veteran will look to help stabilize a bullpen that has had its moments this year, but has also suffered some hiccups of late amidst the team’s overall struggles.

Steven Souza Jr. promoted, Mike Ford added to roster

With Kelenic’s demotion, the Mariners promoted veteran outfielder Steven Souza Jr., a local product from Everett, to the big league roster.

Souza owns a career .230/.320/.414 slash line in 499 MLB games with 72 home runs. Thirty of those home runs came in a breakout 2017 season for the Tampa Bay Rays.

In addition to Souza joining the big league roster, so too is first baseman Mike Ford, who was with the Mariners in the spring and for part of the season but hasn’t played for Seattle in a big league game. Shortly after trading Ford to the San Francisco Giants for cash, the Mariners traded cash to the Giants to get Ford back in the organization.

Welcome back Adrian Sampson

Former Skyline High School and Bellevue College pitcher Adrian Sampson, who pitched for the Mariners in 2016, is back with his hometown organization as he was claimed off waivers from the Chicago Cubs. Sampson has appeared in parts of five big league seasons for three teams and owns a career 5.19 ERA.

Lefty reliever demoted

In addition to Kelenic going to Tacoma, so too is lefty reliever Danny Young, who made his MLB debut on Monday where he pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings against the Philadelphia Phillies. That was Young’s lone appearance for Seattle this season.

Two more designated for assignment

Another local product, outfielder Stuart Fairchild, was demoted to Triple-A and then designated for assignment.

Additionally, the Mariners designated reliever Yohan Ramirez for assignment. Ramirez started the year in the majors and has pitched at the big league level in parts of the last three seasons, posting a 7.56 ERA before his demotion.

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