Mariners sign LHP Joe Saunders to Minor League deal
Veteran lefty will participate in Major League Spring Training as a relief pitcher
SEATTLE, Wash. - Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik announced today the club has signed left-handed pitcher Joe Saunders to a minor league contract with an invite to Major League Spring Training.
Mariners Transactions:
- Joe Saunders, LHP, signed to minor league contract with invite to Major League Spring Training.
Saunders, 33, will participate in spring training as a left-handed relief pitcher. He has spent almost his entire 10-season Major League career as a starting pitcher (235 G/229 GS), but made 6 relief appearances with Baltimore last season.
He split last season between the Rangers, Royals and Orioles organizations, combining to go 0-5 with a 6.70 ERA (32 ER, 43.0 IP) at the Major League level.
In 10 Major League seasons with the Angels (2005-10), Arizona (2010-12), Baltimore (2012, 2014), Seattle (2013) and Texas (2014) he has compiled a 89-86 record with a 4.37 ERA in 235 appearances. In 32 starts with the Marines in 2013 he went 11-16 with a pair of complete games and a 5.26 ERA.
Pitchers and catchers reported to spring training in Peoria, AZ today for physicals and will hold the first workout tomorrow starting at 9:30 am MT/8:30 am PT. Position players are scheduled to report for physicals Feb. 24 and the first full-squad workout will be Feb. 25.
Saunders will wear #35 when he takes the field for spring training. An updated spring training roster is attached in PDF format with this news release.