Mariners Sign RHP Anthony Bass
ARLINGTON, Texas -- Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto announced today the following roster moves:
- Anthony Bass, RHP, signed to Major League contract.
- Ryan Garton, RHP, designated for assignment.
Bass (#52) will be in uniform and available for tonight’s (5:05 pm PT) game at the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park.
Seattle has 7 days to trade, release or outright the contract of Garton to the minor leagues.
Seattle’s Major League, 40-man, roster remains full at 40 players.
Bass, 31, was released at his request by the Cincinnati Reds yesterday (5/20). He was 1-1 with 9 saves and a 2.21 ERA (5 ER, 20.1 IP) in 19 relief appearances with Triple-A Louisville this season. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound right-hander struck out 19 and walked 6 while allowing only 1 home run with Louisville. He held opponents without a hit or a walk in 7 of 19 games.
In 2018, he was slowed by 2 stints on the Injured List, but posted a 2.93 ERA (5 ER, 15.1 IP) with 14 strikeouts and 3 walks in 16 games with the Chicago Cubs.
Bass was previously acquired by the Mariners from the Rangers in a 5-player deal on Nov. 16, 2015. On Jan. 7, 2016, the Mariners granted his release to allow him to pursue an opportunity to pitch in Japan.
Bass was selected by San Diego in the 5th round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Wayne State University. He made his Major League debut with the Padres in 2011. He spent the 2016 campaign the Nippon of the Japan Pacific League, where he went 8-8 with a 3.65 ERA (42 ER, 103.2 IP) in 37 games (14 starts). In parts of 7 Major League seasons with the Padres (2011-13), Astros (2014), Rangers (2015, 2017) and Cubs (2018), he is 5-9 with 3 saves and a 4.51 ERA (150 ER, 299.1 IP) with 202 strikeouts and 110 walks in 147 games (18 starts).
** Garton**, 29, was selected from AAA Tacoma on May 17. He made 2 appearances with Seattle and did not record a decision while posting a 12.00 ERA (4 ER, 3.0 IP). He was 3-0 with a 3.46 ERA (10 ER, 26.0 IP) with 28 strikeouts and 9 walks in 12 games (1 start) with Triple-A Tacoma this season. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound right-hander worked multiple innings in 7 of his 11 relief appearances with the Rainiers this season. He struck out multiple batters in 8 of 11 relief outings. Garton began the season with Tacoma after earning an invite to Seattle’s Major League Spring Training camp.
Garton was acquired by the Mariners along with Mike Marjama (c) in exchange for Anthony Misiewicz (lhp), Luis Rengifo (inf) and a Player to be Named Later on Aug. 6, 2017. He was re-signed by the Mariners on Oct. 21, 2018. He made his Major League debut with Tampa Bay on May 26, 2016 vs. Miami. He was originally selected by the Rays in the 34th round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of Florida Atlantic. In parts of 3 Major League seasons with the Rays (2016-17) and Mariners (2017, 2019), he is 1-3 with 1 save and a 4.90 ERA (35 ER, 64.1 IP) with 50 strikeouts and 18 walks in 59 games.