As expected, the Mariners recalled 1B Justin Smoak from AAA Tacoma and sent INF Alex Liddi back to the Rainiers. Smoak will join the Mariners in Anaheim and was available for Wednesday night’s contest against the Angels, the second of a four-game series.
The Mariners placed Smoak on the 15-day disabled list June 2, retroactive to May 30, with a strained right oblique muscle. He began a rehab assignment with the Rainiers June 13 and had hits in four of his past five games. Smoak went 2-for-5 with a double and a run scored Monday. Overall, Smoak went 5-for-21 (.238) during his rehab stint.
Smoak, 26, left a game May 25 vs. Texas with the injury. He last appeared as a pinch-hitter May 29 at San Diego. In 46 games this season, Smoak is hitting .240 (37×154) with seven doubles, three home runs and eight RBIs.
The Mariners recalled Liddi May 29. He appeared in eight games with Seattle and made four starts at first base. He had his only hit June 9 vs. the Yankees, a double.
The Mariners, blitzed for 21 hits Monday, sent Jeremy Bonderman (1-1, 3.86) to the mound Tuesday night. He opposed Joe Blanton (1-10, 5.87).
Mariners pitchers have allowed 21 runs on 38 hits in their past two games, a 10-2 loss to Oakland Sunday followed by an 11-3 drubbing by the Angels.
