New OF Leody Taveras reports to Mariners in time to debut vs A’s

May 7, 2025, 11:16 AM | Updated: 4:23 pm

Seattle Sports

The newest member of the Seattle Mariners is set to make his debut with the club at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, Calif.

Cal Raleigh addresses controversial interference call

Leody Taveras, who was claimed off waivers from the division rival Texas Rangers a day prior, was added to the 26-man roster Wednesday ahead of the M’s series finale against Athletics.

Taveras, 26, is in the lineup in right field and slated to bat seventh against A’s right-hander Gunnar Hoglund (1-0 record, 1.50 ERA). This is the first time the switch-hitting outfielder has played anywhere but center field as a big leaguer, and he is set to be the seventh different player to get a start in right field this season for the banged-up Mariners (21-14), who are without injured regulars Victor Robles and Luke Raley.

Series finale on deck. #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/WBDRsC8E1t

— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) May 7, 2025

Taveras hit .241 with a .601 OPS, one home run, eight RBIs and six stolen bases in 30 games for the Rangers this season. He’s a career .240 hitter with a .661 OPS and 39 home runs in 505 games.

In order to make room for Taveras on the roster, Seattle optioned outfielder Rhylan Thomas back to Triple-A Tacoma. Thomas, 25, made his MLB debut May 2 and went 1 for 8 with a double and two RBIs in three games with the big league club.

Also of note in the M’s lineup is the return of Randy Arozarena to left field. Arozarena, who is batting fifth behind catcher Cal Raleigh, was out of the lineup Sunday and Monday with a hamstring issue before getting the start at designated hitter in Tuesday night’s 5-3 win.

Jorge Polanco is back at DH and batting second following his first start in the field in over a month. The switch-hitting Polanco, who had been limited by injuries to a role as a left-handed designated hitter, started at second base and hit from the right side of the plate on Tuesday.

With Polanco back at DH, Dylan Moore is getting the start at second base and hitting eighth.

Right-hander Bryan Woo (4-1, 2.58) will take the mound for the Mariners as they look to secure their ninth series win in a row and extend their AL West lead to three games over the Athletics (20-17).

First pitch is scheduled for 12:40 p.m. Radio coverage on Seattle Sports 710 AM and the Seattle Sports app begins at 11:30 a.m. with the pregame show.