The Mariners Tuesday called up OF Daniel Robertson from AAA Tacoma, optioned LHP David Rollins to the Rainiers and transferred RHP Adrian Sampson to the 60-day disabled list. Robertson was expected to play left field Tuesday night when Seattle plays the second of three against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.
Since the demotion of LF Nori Aoki, the Mariners used the roster spot for an extra reliever. Robertson will give manager Scott Servais more lineup options.
“We wanted to get the bullpen back to normal and get the extra position player back,” he told reporters before the game. “We thought it was a chance to bring Robertson in here and play him tonight against (Dallas) Keuchel. We’ll kind of see where we get to coming out of the break — I’m not quite sure where we’ll go there (outfield) yet. But it gives him a chance to come in here and hopefully help us out.”
The 30-year-old Robertson hit .262 with 26 runs, eight doubles, six triples, four home runs and 25 RBIs with Tacoma this season. Robertson ranks T2 in the Pacific Coast League with six triples. Robertson has hit safely in 45 of 73 games, including 17 multi-hit contests. Robertson played mostly left field, but also the other two outfield spots as well as second base.
Robertson was claimed Nov. 6 off waivers from the Angels, where he played under then- Anaheim GM Jerry Dipoto, now with the Mariners. In parts of two MLB seasons with Texas (2014) and Los Angeles (2015), Robertson is a career .274 hitter in 107 games. Robertson attended Oregon State University for his senior season after playing three years at Concordia University (Irvine, CA).
Rollins, 26, has struck out four and walked three in four scoreless outings, all in relief, over two stints with the Mariners this season. He is 2-0 with a 2.05 ERA in 24 games with Tacoma this year. Rollins was selected by Seattle from Houston in the Rule 5 draft Dec. 11, 2014.
Sampson, 24, had a single start before being placed on the 15-day disabled list June 24. He recently had surgery to repair a torn right flexor bundle. He’s finished for the season. Sampson is a native of Redmond.
RHP Taijuan Walker (4-6, 3.29) will throw for Seattle at 5:10 p.m. PT Tuesday opposite LHP Dallas Keuchel (5-9, 5.13). The Mariners, at 43-40, are a game back of Houston for second place in the AL West.
