The Mariners continued their roster moves Thursday afternoon, recalling INF Mike Freeman from AAA Tacoma and optioning RHP Tony Zych, summoned only Tuesday, back to the Rainiers. Freeman was available to Seattle Thursday night (not in the starting lineup) when the club playey the first of four against the Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field.
Earlier Thursday, the Mariners recalled LHP James Paxton to make Thursday night’s start and designated LHP Wade LeBlanc for assignment.
Freeman, 29, hit .290 with 10 runs, four doubles, one home run, seven RBIs and seven walks in 17 games with Tacoma. In one prior stint with Seattle this season, Freeman hit .333 with one RBI in two games. He made his Mariners debut Aug. 7 vs. the Angels.
Freeman made his MLB debut with Arizona July 17 vs. the Dodgers. The Mariners claimed him off waivers Aug. 1. Prior to his acquisition, he hit .317 with 24 RBIs in 88 games with AAA Reno.
Zych, 26, allowed one run on three hits over 1.2 innings in two relief appearances with Seattle since being activated from the 60-day disabled list last Tuesday. Overall this year with Seattle, Zych is 1-0 with a 3.29 ERA. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list May 3 with rotator cuff tendinitis in his right shoulder.
Paxton (4-5, 3.53) will oppose RHP Anthony Ranaudo (1-1, 9.42) in the series opener Thursday night (5:10 p.m., PT). The Mariners are 6.5 games behind the Texas Rangers in the AL West race and three games behind Baltimore for the second wild card slot.
