Notebook: Mariners DFA Danny Hultzen, acquire IF Luis Sardinas from Brewers

Another day, another series of moves by the Mariners.

The Mariners added outfielder Boog Powell and infielder Patrick Kivlehan to the 40-man roster and designated left-handed pitcher Danny Hultzen for assignment. Teams were required to submit finalized 40-man rosters Friday for Rule 5 Draft protection.

Seattle also traded outfielder Ramon Flores to Milwaukee for infielder Luis Sardinas on Friday.

Hultzen, the No. 2 pick in the 2011 draft, has been sidelined for the better part of the last four years with shoulder problems. He was shut down in July and was originally expected to pitch in instructional league, but it was later decided to keep him shut down through the winter. Because he signed a major league deal when drafted, he is out of options and therefore cannot be sent to the minors without clearing waivers.

The Mariners now have 10 days to trade, release or outright Hultzen to the minors. I would expect to see him clear waivers next week and then be outrighted. He will be Rule 5 eligible, but I find it highly unlikely another team would pick him up as they would be required to keep him on their 25-man roster.

Powell was acquired by the Mariners in the trade that sent Brad Miller, Logan Morrison and Danny Farquhar to the Rays. In four seasons in the minor leagues he hit .308 and put up a .401 on base percentage.

Kivlehan has played four seasons in the Mariners minor-league system and put up a .256/.313/.453/.766 line at Triple-A Tacoma last year.

The Mariners 40-man roster is now full.

Sardinas adds roster flexibility

The Mariners’ other move of the day was to bring in 22-year-old shortstop Sardinas, a switch hitter who has spent parts of the last two seasons at the big league level hitting. He’s posted a slash line of .231/.274/.269/.543 in 230 plate appearances with the Rangers and Brewers.

Originally signed by Texas, it is likely both Seattle manager Scott Servais and bench coach Tim Bogar are familiar with him.

Sardinas was rated as a Top-100 prospect in 2013 and 2014. He was acquired by the Brewers from Texas in the Yovani Gallardo trade and was rated the third-best prospect in the Milwaukee organization by Baseball America. He has seen significant playing time at shortstop, second base and third base in his MLB career.

To get Sardinas the Mariners gave up Flores, who came to the organization from the Yankees in the Dustin Ackley trade. Flores saw his season come to an end after suffering a broken ankle Aug. 15. In 14 games with the Rainiers he hit .423 and drove in 7 runs.

There was a good chance Flores would not be ready for Opening Day and he is out of minor-league options. Sardinas comes to the Mariners with an option remaining so this move provides roster flexibility for Jerry Dipoto.

First offseason podcast

Be sure to check out our first Mariners podcast of the offseason, featuring an interview with assistant general manager Jeff Kingston and talk about Dipoto’s moves thus far with “Brock and Salk” producer James Osborn, aka Boy Howdy.

Related

Listen Live: Seahawks Football Returns to Lumen FieldRussell Westbrook, one of the last Sonics draft picks, retires from NBAMariners claim former UW Huskies catcher off waiversWitherspoon ‘not worried’ about contract talks with SeahawksMatt Hasselbeck part of latest CTE frontier — diagnosing brain disease in the livingEx-Seahawks RB Chris Carson joins Redmond H.S. coaching staff