The Mariners Monday outrighted the contract of 26-year-old RHP Joe Wieland, who came to the organization last January in a swap with the Los Angeles Dodgers, to AAA Tacoma. Seattle did make a corresponding move, meaning that its 40-man roster is at 39 players.
Wieland is 1-3 with a 17.31 ERA in five starts with the Rainiers this season. He allowed only three earned runs in 9.0 IP while posting a 1-0 record in his first two starts, but has come unraveled since. In his past three, he has been hammered for 22 earned runs on 24 hits while walking eight in a total of for innings over his last three starts, taking the loss in all three.
The Mariners acquired Wieland from the Dodgers Jan. 12 for minor league infielder Erick Mejia. He spent the majority of last season with AAA Oklahoma where he was 10-5 with a 4.59 ERA. He also made two starts in the majors with Los Angeles (NL), going 0-1 with an 8.31 ERA.
In three MLB seasons with San Diego (2013-14) and Los Angeles-NL (2015), he has combined to go 1-5 with a 5.85 ERA. In his minor league career in the Texas, San Diego and L.A. organizations, he is 45-27 with a 3.52 ERA.
The Mariners begin a three-game series at Oakland Monday night. RHP Nathan Karns (2-1, 3.63) will throw for Seattle opposite RHP Kendall Graveman (1-2, 4.03). After playing three in Oakland, the Mariners will play four at Houston before returning to Safeco Field April 9 to face the Tampa Bay Rays.