The Mariners sent catcher Seby Zavala outright to Triple-A Tacoma. Seattle designated him for assignment on Friday when they promoted Emerson Hancock to take Luis Castillo’s spot in the rotation.
That was a predictable transaction. The M’s had only promoted Zavala a few days earlier when Castillo hit the injured list. Seattle didn’t need a fifth starter for a few days between Castillo’s IL placement and the Hancock recall. They briefly added to their depth behind the plate by calling Zavala to serve as the #3 catcher behind Cal Raleigh and Mitch Garver. Zavala didn’t get into a game before being DFA for the third time of the season.
Zavala was presumably aware that this stay on the roster could be brief. He at least picked up a few days of major league pay. Acquired from Arizona in the Eugenio Suárez deal, Zavala has hit .154 in 18 games for Seattle this season. He’s hitting .188/.325/.376 across 33 contests with Tacoma. The 31-year-old defensive specialist has a .205/.268/.345 slash over parts of five seasons in the majors.
As was the case when Zavala cleared waivers for the first two times this season, he has the right to elect free agency. It’s likelier he’ll accept the assignment and stick around as injury insurance for Raleigh and Garver. Zavala would become a minor league free agent at the start of the offseason unless the M’s call him back up.