The Mariners Monday claimed OF Jacob Hannemann and RHP Seth Frankoff off waivers from the Chicago Cubs, transferred RHP David Phelps from the 10-day disabled list to the 60-day DL with a right elbow impingement, and designated LHP Zac Curtis for assignment.
Hannemann, 26, combined to hit .240 with six home runs, 32 RBIs and 29 stolen bases in 113 combined games with AAA Iowa and AA Tennessee in the Cubs organization this season. With Iowa, he hit .265 and his 23 steals, achieved in only 79 Pacific Coast League games, ranked seventh in the league.
In five minor league seasons, Hannemann is a .247 hitter with 31 home runs and 164 RBIs, mainly as a center fielder. The Cubs selected Hannemann in the third round of the 2013 draft out of Brigham Young University.
Frankoff, 29, appeared in one game with the Cubs. He spent most of the year with Iowa, going 2-8 with a 4.40 ERA in 24 games, including 21 starts.
In eight minor league seasons with Oakland (2010-15), Los Angeles-NL (2016) and Chicago-NL (2017), he is 27-33 with a 3.80 ERA. He was selected by Oakland in the 27th round of the 2010 draft out of the University of North Carolina-Wilmington.
Phelps, 30, is in his second trip to the disabled list since joining the Mariners. He was placed on the 10-day disabled list Aug. 8. Since being acquired by Seattle July 20, he is 2-1 with a 3.12 ERA in 10 relief appearances. The right-hander was acquired in a five-player deal with the Miami Marlins.
Curtis, 25, appeared in three games in two stints with Seattle this season. He spent most of the year with AA Arkansas, going 1-2 with a 3.51 ERA in 41 relief appearances. The Mariners acquired Curtis from Arizona along with INF Jean Segura and OF Mitch Haniger in exchange for RHP Taijuan Walker and INF Ketel Marte Nov. 23.
The Mariners and Houston Astros begin a three-game series at Safeco Field Monday at 3:40 p.m. RHP Erasmo Ramirez (5-5, 4.43) will throw for Seattle opposite LHP Dallas Keuchel (11-3, 2.91).
The Mariners (69-68) began the week 2.5 games behind the Minnesota Twins for the second American League wild card.