In order to accommodate the Feb. 23 signing of Cuban defector Guillermo Heredia, the Mariners Tuesday placed backup catcher Jesus Sucre on the 60-day disabled list. While the 25-year-old Heredia will compete for a job as a backup outfielder, Sucre will rehab a right fibula fractured Jan. 17 during winter ball in Venezuela.
Sucre, 27, had surgery Jan. 26 in Seattle. He spent most of last season with the Mariners, hitting .157 with nine runs, six doubles, one home run and seven RBIs in 50 games. In six games with AAA Tacoma, he hit .261 with three runs and two RBIs.
In parts of three MLB seasons, Sucre hit .178 with 14 runs, eight doubles, one home run and 15 RBIs in 79 games. In the minors with Atlanta (2006-11) and Seattle (2009-15), he hit .258 with 179 runs, 88 doubles, four triples, 21 home runs and 195 RBI in 548 games.
Sucre was signed as a non-drafted free agent May 25, 2005 by Atlanta.
Sucre’s most notable moment as a Mariner was June 13, after the Houston Astros shelled Felix Hernandez for eight earned runs in a third of an inning. After numerous short outings by starters, the bullpen was exhausted, so Sucre came on to pitch an inning in relief and allowed one hit while inducing an inning-ending double play.
