The Mariners Friday claimed off waivers SS Zach Vincej, who made his MLB debut with Cincinnati last season and hit .111 in nine games. Vincej, 26, spent most of the season with AAA Louisville, where he hit .270. His acquisition increased the number of players on Seattle’s 40-man roster to 37.
The 6-foot, 190-pounder had 21 doubles, four triples, three homers and 38 RBIs in 119 games for Louisville.
Vincej last season also earned a minor league Gold Glove Award after leading all minor league shortstops with a .991 fielding percentage.
Vincej spent 2016 with AA Pensacola and earned his first invitation to spring training in 2017.
In parts of six minor league seasons in the Reds organization, Vincej is a career .272 hitter with 270 runs, 106 doubles, 13 triples, 16 home runs, 195 RBIs and 46 stolen bases in 578 career games.
A native of San Diego, Vincej was selected by Cincinnati in the 37th round of the 2012 draft out of Pepperdine University. In 2012, he won the Brooks Wallace Award, honoring the nation’s top collegiate shortstop.
Mariners off-season transactions
Oct. 31: Outrighted RHP Casey Lawrence to AAA Tacoma.
Nov. 2: Claimed INF/OF Andrew Romine off waivers from Detroit; reinstated RHP David Phelps and LHP Drew Smyly from the 60-day disabled list; announced that 1B Yonder Alonso, OF Jarrod Dyson, INF Gordon Beckham, C Carlos Ruiz and 1B Danny Valencia had become free agents; declined 2018 options on RHPs Hisashi Iwakuma and Yovani Gallardo.
Nov. 3: Claimed Vincej off waivers.
Nov. 7: Outrighted Vincej to Tacoma.
