The Mariners introduced that they’ve chosen the contract of catcher Seby Zavala, with left-hander Jhonathan Díaz optioned to Triple-A Tacoma in a corresponding transfer. Moreover, the M’s have signed right-hander Chris Devenski to a serious league contract, although Devenski will report back to Tacoma. Seattle had three vacancies on their 40-man roster coming into immediately, so their depend is now at 39.
Zavala, 30, was acquired as a part of the Eugenio Suárez commerce again in November. He was used as a glove-first backup catcher for some time with Cal Raleigh getting the majority of the enjoying time. The M’s had additionally signed Mitch Garver however with the concept of utilizing him primarily as a delegated hitter, although Garver began enjoying behind the plate extra because the season wore on.
That left simply 43 plate appearances for Zavala by means of the center of June. He hit .154/.214/.282 in that restricted time whereas placing out at a 37.2% price. As Garver began donning the instruments of ignorance, Zavala was designated for task and outrighted off the roster. He had the fitting to elect free company at the moment however caught with the M’s and is now again within the bigs.
His choice is probably going because of Garver’s standing, as he was hit by a pitch on his proper wrist on Sunday. He was catching that recreation with Raleigh within the DH slot, however Raleigh moved behind the plate within the third inning as Garver departed, leaving the M’s to play with no DH for the remainder of the sport.
Per Daniel Kramer of MLB.com on X, Garver is feeling higher however nonetheless sore and is “going to go really feel it out,” in Garver’s phrases. Since he’s seemingly unavailable, a minimum of for just a few days, the membership was going to be left with simply Raleigh and no backup catcher, which prompted Zavala’s return. As soon as Garver is wholesome, Zavala would possibly get squeezed out once more since he’s out of choices.
Devenski, 33, was simply launched by the Rays final week however has rapidly landed a brand new gig. As a veteran with greater than 5 years of service time, he can’t be optioned to the minors with out his consent. Because the M’s introduced that he’ll report back to Tacoma, maybe he has given his consent, except that’s simply an on-paper transfer till he reviews to the membership.
The righty was having a tough season with the Rays, tossing 26 2/3 innings with 6.75 earned runs allowed per 9. His 19.7% strikeout price and 11.5% stroll price have been each beneath common, main Tampa to chop him unfastened.
The M’s clearly have some form of concept for getting him again on observe. He was as soon as a dominant reliever with the Astros, throwing 189 innings with that membership over 2016 and 2017 with a 2.35 ERA, 28.2% strikeout price and 6.4% stroll price. However he struggled within the following years and missed time because of accidents, together with Tommy John surgical procedure. He had a 4.56 ERA over 2018 and 2019 after which a 9.47 ERA from 2020 to 2022.
He appeared to indicate a little bit of life final 12 months, with 42 1/3 innings between the Angels and Rays. He had a 4.46 ERA in that point, in addition to a 24.3% strikeout price and 6.4% stroll price. The Rays have been inspired sufficient to deliver him again for 2024 with a $1.1MM assure, within the type of a $1MM wage this 12 months and $100K buyout on a 2025 choice.
However now that Devenski has been launched, the Rays are left on the hook for that cash. The M’s will solely owe him the prorated model of the foremost league minimal for any time spent on the roster, with that quantity subtracted from what the Rays pay.
The M’s have taken some hits of their bullpen this 12 months, with every of Matt Brash, Gregory Santos, Jackson Kowar and Gabe Speier presently on the injured record, with Brash and Kowar achieved for the 12 months because of Tommy John surgical procedure. There’s little hurt on taking a low-cost flier on Devenski to see if he will help make up for these losses by returning to kind.
