Jackson lands on DL with sprained ankle

ANAHEIM -- Mariners center fielder Austin Jackson was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Monday after spraining his right ankle in Sunday's 7-6 loss to the Astros in Houston. The move opened a roster spot for veteran reliever Mark Lowe to be added in time for Seattle's series opener with the Angels.

Manager Lloyd McClendon said Jackson's injury isn't too serious, but he'll be sidelined long enough that it wasn't prudent for the team to play a man short during his recovery period.

"We just felt he was not going to be able to recuperate in the next 2-3 days, and that's just too much valuable time," McClendon said. "We decided to put him on the DL."

Jackson twisted his ankle as he tried to avoid Astros pitcher Roberto Hernandez's foot as the two arrived at the bag on a groundout to first baseman Chris Carter in the top of the third inning.

Jackson hit .242 with 11 runs, five stolen bases, two home runs, four RBIs in Seattle's first 25 games. Justin Ruggiano is expected to handle most of the center-field duties in his absence.

Lowe takes the open bullpen spot created when the club sent down two relievers, Yoervis Medina and Tyler Olson, on Sunday, then filled those spots Monday by calling up shortstop Chris Taylor and reliever Joe Beimel.

Lowe, 31, was 0-1 with a 1.00 ERA (one earned run in nine innings) with 11 strikeouts in seven appearances with Triple-A Tacoma. He signed a Minor League contract with Seattle in December. This will be his second stint with the Mariners after spending parts of five seasons with Seattle (2006-10).

Lowe pitched in seven games for the Indians last year, allowing three earned runs in seven innings.

To clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Lowe, the Mariners put Tacoma outfielder Julio Morban on the restricted list. Morban, 23, recently left the team for personal reasons. He has appeared in 19 games with Tacoma and Double-A Jackson, combining to hit .194 with seven runs, two triples, a home run and seven RBIs.