The Mariners’ hottest hitter, CF Leonys Martin, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday after straining his right hamstring running the bases Wednesday. Replacing him was Stefen Romero, called up from AAA Tacoma to play left field and hit eighth in Friday night’s game at Safeco Field against the Minnesota Twins.
Regular left fielder Nori Aoki moved to center field, and Franklin Gutierrez started in right with the Twins starting a rookie left-hander, Pat Dean.
Romero, 27, was hitting .358 with 30 runs, seven doubles, four triples, seven home runs and 34 RBI in 39 games at Tacoma. He’s played 14 games, 11 at first base and seven games left field, as well as nine as DH.
Romero has had call-ups to the Mariners in 2014 and 2015. His big league average in 85 games is .192 with four home runs and 14 RBI.
Since May 3, Martin hit .353 with 14 runs, a double, five home runs, 10 RBI and six stolen bases in 20 games. Over his last nine, Martin hit .500 (15×30) with four home runs.
