SEATTLE -- Right-handed reliever Arquimedes Caminero was granted his unconditional release by the Mariners on Friday so he can pursue an opportunity to play in Japan next season.
The move opens a spot on Seattle's 40-man roster, which is now at 39. The 29-year-old was acquired by Seattle from Pittsburgh on Aug. 6 in a trade for Minor League pitchers Jake Brentz and Pedro Vasquez.
Caminero went 1-1 with a 3.66 ERA in 18 relief appearances for Seattle. The big right-hander featured a fastball that touched 100 mph, and he struck out 18, but control was an issue as he allowed 11 walks in 19 2/3 innings and had a 1.627 WHIP.
Caminero also had 39 outings with the Pirates prior to the trade and finished the season with a 3.56 ERA and a 1.648 WHIP in 60 2/3 innings.
In parts of four Major League seasons, Caminero is 7-5 with one save and a 3.83 ERA with 143 strikeouts in 155 innings over 149 games, all relief appearances. He pitched for Miami from 2013-14 before joining the Pirates in '15. He initially signed with the Marlins as a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2005.