Mariners DFA outfielder Leonys Martin; recall 1B Dan Vogelbach
Apr 23, 2017, 11:23 AM | Updated: 11:28 am
Leonys Martin has struggled at the plate in 2017 after batting .247/.306/.378 with 15 homers and 47 RBIs last season. (AP)
(AP)
The Mariners shook up their roster Sunday, designating outfielder Leonys Martin for assignment and recalling first baseman Dan Vogelbach from Triple-A Tacoma.
Stecker: Servais giving Heredia more chances with Martin struggling
Martin, 29, was Seattle’s starting centerfielder all season before being benched the past two games. He’s struggled mightily at the plate, posting a .111/.172/.130 slash-line, with no home runs or RBIs and 14 strikeouts in 54 at-bats. Speedy veteran Jarrod Dyson will likely slide over to center field from left field, with rookie Guillermo Heredia getting more regular playing time in Dyson’s spot in left.
Wow. @hyphen18 mentioned that Leonys Martin was moping in the clubhouse recently. But I never thought he’d be DFA’d this early. Crazy.
— Mike Salk, 710 ESPN (@TheMikeSalk) April 23, 2017
Vogelbach is listed as Seattle’s No. 9 prospect by MLBPipeline.com, coming to the team via trade last season. After struggling in spring training, the 24-year-old has played well in Triple-A, with a .309/.409/.473 slash-line, including two home runs and 14 RBIs. The team’s starting first baseman Danny Valencia is hitting .145 with no home runs and four RBIs in 18 games.
The M’s also swapped righties in their bullpen, optioning pitcher Chase De Jong back to Triple-A and recalling Chris Heston.
