The Mariners announced they’ve selected outfielder Marcus Wilson onto the big league roster. He’ll replace Taylor Trammell, who lands on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain. Seattle also optioned corner infielder Kevin Padlo to Triple-A Tacoma and recalled utilityman Sam Haggerty to add some defensive flexibility to the bench. In order to create a 40-man roster spot for Wilson, catcher Tom Murphy has been transferred from the 10-day to the 60-day IL.
Wilson, 25, would make his major league debut if he gets into a game. He’s spent time on a 40-man roster before, having been added to the Red Sox’s roster to keep him from being taken in the 2019 Rule 5 draft. Wilson spent a year and a half on optional assignment to the minor leagues before being designated for assignment by Boston at last summer’s trade deadline. Seattle grabbed him off waivers and kept him in Triple-A for the remainder of last season.
The California native struggled during his initial two months in the M’s organization, leading Seattle to take him off the 40-man at the end of last year. Wilson passed through waivers unclaimed and remained in the system, and he’s spent this season in Tacoma. Through 209 plate appearances, he owns a .209/.336/.469 line with 12 home runs and eight stolen bases. As he has for most of his minor league tenure, Wilson has shown some power, speed and excellent strike zone awareness to work walks at a nearly 15% clip. He’s paired those promising tools with alarming swing-and-miss concerns throughout his time in pro ball, though, and he’s again punched out in more than a third of his plate appearances with Tacoma this season.
Wilson has experience at all three outfield spots but has spent much of this season in right field. That’s where Trammell has suited up for much of the year, putting together a solid .235/.323/.457 showing over 32 games. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old went down with a hamstring strain during last night’s contest. It’s the second time that’s happened to Trammell, as he spent around six weeks on the minor league IL earlier this season with the same injury. Whether his current strain is as severe as the one he suffered in April isn’t clear, but he’ll at least need some time on the shelf.
The Mariners figure to rely on some combination of Justin Upton, Dylan Moore and Wilson to cover right field for the next few weeks. Opening Day right fielder Mitch Haniger has been out since late April after suffering a high ankle sprain. He’s recently begun baseball activities but has yet to embark on a minor league rehab assignment; Haniger has maintained he hopes to be back in the big leagues around the All-Star Break.
Seattle could’ve elected to recall Jarred Kelenic, who was optioned six weeks ago at the time the M’s brought Trammell up. Kelenic has responded with a strong .295/.340/.576 showing in Tacoma, but he’s struck out at an alarming 27.7% rate while only walking at a 5.7% clip. The organization clearly feels the 22-year-old would be better served with continued run against high minors pitching — he’d had only 30 career Triple-A games entering this season — rather than returning to the majors to hold down right field until Haniger is healthy.
Murphy, meanwhile, has been out of action since May 7 after dislocating his left shoulder attempting a tag at home plate. He later suffered a setback, and Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times relayed last week that he’ll require season-ending surgery. That makes today’s IL transfer nothing more than a formality.
It’s an obviously frustrating end to the year for Murphy, who only managed to appear in 14 games. The 31-year-old had performed very well in that limited stretch and looked as if he’d reemerged as a viable #1 option for the Mariners. Murphy had a stellar .273/.324/.535 showing while suiting up in just under half the team’s games in 2019, but he missed the entire following season after fracturing his left foot. Murphy returned last season but managed a less inspiring .202/.304/.350 showing through 325 trips to the plate.
Murphy’s efforts at a bounceback season are cut short by the shoulder issue. He’s playing this season on a $1.575MM salary after avoiding arbitration. The Mariners can keep him around via that process for a final time in 2023. Whether they’ll do so figures to depend on the long-term prognosis for his recovery. Murphy’s abbreviated season won’t earn him much of a raise relative to this year’s modest salary, but it’s possible Seattle looks for a new starting catcher next winter given his recent injury woes.
Wasn’t Wilson once a highly regarded Dbacks prospect?
I’ve always been a big Marcus Wilson fan. I was so happy when Boston acquired him and was disappointed when Boston released him last summer. While his average has not been great in the minors over the past year or so, he has the potential to be a ‘light’ 5 tool player and he’s still young enough (25) to make an impact for a team. I hope he gets playing time in Seattle and plays well enough to stick with the club. He has certainly paid his dues in the minors.
@DMantooth, I certainly second everything you have said here.
I noticed Wilson, too, and am pleased to see him get a chance as a Mariner. We may see him today.
The poor M’s are having a rough time injury-wise.
Also, I can’t see Santana staying in the lineup very long.
And I hope Flexen can show up big again today. He needs to take pressure off our poor shaky offense.
Santana is probably gone when France comes off the IL.
No he’ll be our main DH when he comes back
He’ll be DFAed in 48hrs
I’ll third that as well. I thought he had potential for us, and was a little disappointed he never got a shot, particularly in 2020. I’m hoping that he shows at least enough talent that he stays on the radar.
JoeBrady, Wilson actually did get into today’s game, as a pinch hitter late, had a good at-bat and drew a walk.
On the strength of that, I look for him in the lineup tomorrow against Oakland.
I thought he might be available because the team delayed announcing the lineup for so long. And sure enough.
I expect Santana will be DFAd, like someone said earlier.
Kelenic has a sort of head problem which may delay our ever seeing him this season. Impatient beyond all reason, I am told.
Padlo, I dunno.
You must be a Boston fan, and to travel all the way over here. My recall of Wilson is vague at best, only to say he has been in baseball system awhile and was held in high regards the only question might be is his head and body going to be connected we have see this often with other promising players you only have to look no further the Kelenic who was rush up to quickly or White as well. Wilson is different that way so does he finally close the chapter.. Wilson will get his look maybe, hopefully Julio will rub off on him some. playing next to him..
Oh wow. He’s with us? I had no idea. Good kid to take a look at. I’m assuming they’re saving Jarred for the incoming Winker suspension.
Nah Jerry Dipoto wants Jared kelenic to develop his batting approach so he can stop strike out a lot and be more patient at the plate to create more walks so he’ll probably be up in late July- early August maybe
The Kelenic strategy doesn’t seem to be working yet. In 2021 125 AB’s at Tacoma, 15BB’s, 22K’s and an OPS of 1.016, in 2022 132 AB’s at Tacoma 9 BB’s 32K’s and an OPS of .916. He’s gone backwards……or word is now out in AAA that he has trouble with the curve and he’s just getting pitched better.
Really disappointing for TT, he has looked like an everyday big leaguer since he came up this year. Night and day from his cup of coffee early last year. Good abs, hits for power, runs well, great clubhouse guy. Hope it’s just a little pull
He does have nice abs.
WILSON IS BACK WITH SEATTLE !!!
Wilson had a good at bat didn’t swing at anything out of the zone. Also took some close pitches that were balls. Got to 3-2 threw a slider at his body and then turned into the plate. Was probably 2.5 to 3 balls inside. He spit on it and walked. Got to second on a balk. Then think 3rd on a hit.
He was left there. He looked good strike zone awareness was amazing. He didn’t try to do too much at the plate wanting to get a hit his first AB. If he can hit a little he could be the RFer for Haniger.
I am not seeing Haniger playing much in the OF when he comes back. Not sure what they will do when he and Lewis are back. Lewis needs to play some in the OF. Not sure about the bum they have out in CF could get back to back rookie of the month.
Great comment, compassrose.
I really enjoyed it.