The Chicago Cubs Friday claimed LHP David Rollins, 27, off waivers from the Mariners, who also requested unconditional release waivers on INF/OF Stefen Romero. The departures of Rollins and Romero leave the Mariners with 35 players on their 40-man major league roster.
Rollins went 1-0 with a 7.71 ERA and six strikeouts in 11 relief appearances covering five stints with Seattle last season.
Rollins also worked in 37 games with AAA Tacoma, going 5-0 with a 3.77 ERA with 32 strikeouts and six walks. In parts of two seasons with Seattle, he was 1-2 with a 7.60 ERA in 31 relief appearances.
The Mariners selected Rollins from Houston as the 12th pick in the Rule 5 draft Dec. 11, 2014. He was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays after being selected in the 24th round of the 2011 June draft from Houston’s San Jacinto College. The left-hander was previously drafted twice by the Mariners in the June amateur draft; in the 23rd round in 2009 and in the 46th round in 2010.
The Mariners released Romero so that he can pursue his career in Japan.
Romero, 28, appeared in nine games with Seattle over two stints in 2016, batting .235 with three RBIs. He spent the majority of the season with Tacoma, batting .304 in 106 games. Romero was named to both the midseason and postseason Pacific Coast League All-Star teams.
Romero was selected by the Mariners in the 12th round of the 2010 draft out of Oregon State University. He appeared with Seattle in parts of the last three seasons, batting .195 with four home runs and 17 RBIs.
