Drayer: Mariners SS Ketel Marte’s success pushes Luis Sardinas back to Triple-A

The early success of Ketel Marte has in part landed Luis Sardinas back in Triple-A. The Mariners announced Sunday morning that Sardinas had been optioned to Tacoma and Shawn O’Malley called up.

“He’s done a nice job, he just hasn’t played,” said Mariners manager Scott Servais, while pointing out that he does like the upside of Sardinas. “He needs a chance to play, he needs to get out and start playing and try to get timing back so when we do call him back he can add more to our team.”

Mariners’ lineup

Sardinas made the team out of spring training as a utility player with the thought that Marte would need a break here and there as he navigated his way through his first full year as the everyday shortstop. After a slow start to the season, Marte looks nothing like a guy who needs a break hitting .337/.351/.840 slash line since April 21. As a result, Sardinas has made just six starts. He will play both the infield and outfield with the Rainiers.

In O’Malley, the Mariners get a switch-hitting player with big-league experience who can make a spot start at shortstop and also play all three outfield positions.

“He had a great spring training,” Servais said. “The versatility he brings, we are a little more comfortable with him in the outfield at this time.”

In Tacoma O’Malley played every position except for first base and catcher.

“I don’t think I played the same position more than two days in a row,” he said.

In Tacoma this year, O’Malley hit .317/.412/.439 and stole five bases. He finds himself in the Mariners today lineup batting ninth and playing center field.

“I’m just here to help this team to win and I am going to do everything I can to make sure that happens,” he said. “They have been playing great baseball, it’s been fun to watch.”