SEATTLE -- The Trade Deadline dust has settled, and with it came a few notable roster moves for the Mariners, beyond the acquisitions of Taylor Ward and Seranthony Domínguez.
The club on Tuesday announced seven transactions, which included the releases of veterans Rob Refsnyder and Mitch Garver.
Also, Brendan Donovan made his much-anticipated return from the injured list and was in the starting lineup for the first time since May 15, batting seventh and playing third base.
Ward, too, was in the lineup -- batting eighth at designated hitter -- one day after being acquired from the Orioles on Deadline Day.
Here’s the full slate of moves, which came before a three-game series opener vs. Detroit:
- UTIL Brendan Donovan, activated from IL (left groin strain)
- OF/DH Taylor Ward, reported to club
- RHP Seranthony Domínguez, reported to club
- C Jhonny Pereda, recalled from Triple-A Tacoma
- DH/OF Rob Refsnyder, released
- C Mitch Garver, released
- OF Stuart Fairchild, designated for assignment
Ward, who was the Orioles’ primary left fielder, is expected to see more action in right field in Seattle. That spot has been occupied by Luke Raley, Dominic Canzone and Victor Robles
However, Raley’s recent left forearm strain could be season-ending, general manager Justin Hollander told 710 Seattle Sports on Monday evening.
Randy Arozarena, obviously, has been the Mariners’ everyday left fielder and will stick there.
“Some of it will depend a little bit on health and whatnot,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “But I see Taylor getting a lot of time out in right field. Dom has done a really nice job out there. He's also done a really nice job DH’ing, which can be difficult, so I think he handles that role very well.
“Again, [Donovan] will fill in when guys need a day, whether it's DH day or a day off completely. So I think we'll kind of watch it as we go.”
Domínguez will be a welcome reinforcement to a bullpen that’s been operating one man short for more than two months, due to the Mariners carrying six starting pitchers. But they subtracted one by trading Luis Castillo on Saturday and will go to a standard five-man moving forward.
Kade Anderson, MLB Pipeline’s No. 5 overall prospect, is also expected to be in the mix down the stretch.
“Any time you can add someone that's had experience in leverage situations, that's always a big boost,” Wilson said. “And we will look to put him in those situations.”
Refsnyder’s roster spot will be filled by Ward. Garver’s role as the team’s backup catcher will instead go to Pereda, who made a strong impression during his first stint with the big league team while Cal Raleigh was on the IL for a month.
Refsnyder’s days with the club seemed like they could be numbered after he returned from the IL last Tuesday at Dodger Stadium, especially as the Mariners were actively seeking a right-handed bat before Monday’s Deadline.
The 35-year-old signed a one-year, $6.25 million free-agent contract last December, primarily for his strong track record against left-handed pitching. But he hit just .140 with a .465 OPS in 53 games with the Mariners, including a .147/.222/.284 slash line against lefties.
Refsnyder’s struggles correlated with chronic pain in both of his knees that he mentioned as far back as April and led to him missing a month leading up to last week.
Garver, also 35, was a key clubhouse piece and confidante of Raleigh, who lobbied the front office to bring him back on a Minors contract shortly after the start of Spring Training. That deal included a guaranteed $2.25 million once he made the roster.
Garver’s playing time diminished after Raleigh returned on June 18, as Garver saw action in just 15 of the Mariners’ 37 games since. In that stretch, he went 4-for-36 (.111) with one double, one homer, five walks and 17 strikeouts.
“As his veteran leadership is concerned, it's notable and has been tremendous,” Wilson said. “It's tough to lose him, but what we saw from Jhonny earlier this season when he came up, we all thought what we saw from his bat, what we saw from his defense, it was a piece to add here at the Deadline.”
Pereda, 30, has played 19 games with the Mariners this season, batting .270 with a .689 OPS. He has the superior glove to Garver, too.
Wilson anticipates that Pereda's timeshare with Raleigh will remain similar to Garver's.