The Mariners Friday brought up RHP Dominic Leone from AAA Tacoma and designated RHP Hector Noesi for assignment less than 24 hours after Noesi served up a walk-off home run to Coco Crisp Thursday night that ended Seattle’s season-opening three-game winning streak.
Leone will be in uniform for Friday for the second in a four-game series in Oakland.
Leone, 22, is in his third season in the organization after being selected in the 16th round of the 2012 June draft out of Clemson University. In two minor league seasons, Leone has combined to go 4-3 with 21 saves and a 1.95 ERA (21 ER, 97 IP) in 67 appearances.
In 48 appearances last season with A Clinton, A High Desert and AA Jackson, Leone combined for 16 saves, 64 strikeouts and a 2.25 ERA. Following the season, he led the Arizona Fall League with six saves (0-1, 3.00 ERA, 11 G, 15 K, 1 BB).
As a non-roster invitee in spring training, Leone posted a 1.80 ERA (2 ER, 10.0 IP) with 10 strikeouts and a .171 opponent batting average (6×35) in nine appearances. He was reassigned to minor league camp March 28 and was set to begin the season with the Rainiers, who had their season opener rained out last night.
The Mariners have 10 days to trade, release or outright Noesi to the minors.
Acquired in Jan. 23, 2012 trade with the New York Yankees, in which the Mariners also parted with pitcher Michael Pineda and acquired C/DH Jesus Montero, Noesi had a 2-14 record and 6.13 ERA in 36 appearances (19 starts) for the Mariners.
Thursday night, he entered the game in the 12th inning of a 2-2 tie and watched Crisp take an 0-and-1 fastball and deposit it over the fence in right field for a 3-2 victory.
Leone was a teammate of Mariners shortstop Brad Miller at Clemson (2010-2011).
6 Comments
He had a good spring, just never translated over. That’s how his career has gone. Bet the Yankees pick him up again.
With all due respect and sympathy to Hector, I hope this move is an early and welcome sign that this year’s Mariners will have little patience for poor performance. I like it, and I hope it sends a clear message to rest of the team.
Nothing like pressing the panic button four games into the season. On the other hand, Leone had a great spring and Noesi is, well, Noesi. Nuff said there.
Saw Noesi pitch a great game against the A’s in the opening homestand in 2012. Saw him utterly stink up a game in Cheney Stadium. He’s got good stuff he can’t command. I’m glad the M’s are holding players accountable, and if Noesi is the first example, so be it. He’s had his chances.
This isn’t panic at all. It’s reality that he obviously hasn’t changed his ways from last year. I think it was the second or third game against the Angels that he gave up two runs also, it didn’t matter because we were winning by so much, but it did Thursday. I’m glad to see him gone right away.
that’s nice but what needs to happen is to call jesus up asap.