The Mariners Tuesday placed RHP Tony Zych on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 2, with rotator cuff tendinitis in his right shoulder and selected RHP Steve Johnson from AAA Tacoma to replace him on the 25-man active roster. Johnson was in uniform Tuesday night when the Mariners played the second of three games against the Oakland Athletics.
Johnson, 28, began the season with the Rainiers, going 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in seven relief appearances. The 6-for-1, 220-pound reliever has held opponents to a .185 batting average against, while walking two and striking out 20.
Johnson signed with Seattle as a minor league free agent March 16 after being released by the Texas Rangers March 14.
Johnson appeared in parts of three seasons with Baltimore, including six relief appearances with the Orioles in 2015. Overall, he went 5-1 with a 4.25 ERA in 27 games. Johnson was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 13th round of the 2005 draft out of St. Paul’s (MD.) High School.
Zych, 25, was 1-0 with 3.00 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 10 relief appearances this season. He recorded his first career win in the Mariners’ 10-7, 10-inning victory over the Indians April 21.
He is the fifth reliever on on the DL, following Ryan Cook, Evan Scribner, Charlie Furbush and Joaquin Benoit.
The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder made his MLB debut with Seattle in 2015, appearing in 10 games in relief after being called up in September. Zych was acquired by Seattle in a minor league trade for cash considerations from the Cubs April 2, 2015.
