SEATTLE – The Seattle Mariners have named Daniel Vogelbach for assignment just under a year after being an All-Star selection.
The Mariners made the move Wednesday before the start of a home game with five games. Vogelbach hit .094 with just five base hits and two home points since the season began. He had to play another game in the field at first base this season and was reduced to just a designated hitter.
“Vogey is kind of locked in [to one spot]. We tried to get him to play something on the first base last year, not his strength. “His power is in the caster’s coffin and he’s hopefully hitting it over the fence, but he does not bring a whole lot other than the bat,” said manager Scott Servais. If the bat is your big carrier, you need to hit. It’s a league do-good. Where we are right now, we’ll just give some of the bats and chances to some other players. “
A year ago, Vogelbach had a strong first half of the season, hitting 21 home games and riding in 51 runs for the All-Star break. But the league adjusted to its All-Star Game appearance and Vogelbach hit just .162 with nine home games over the last two-plus months of the season.
Servais was unsure if Vogelbach, 27, would remove exemptions and could return to Seattle’s alternative training site roster.
Along with the Vogelbach move, the Mariners recall foreigner Braden Bishop and outfielder Sam Haggerty, and were both in the starting lineup against the Dodgers on Wednesday. Seattle also gave option to right-hander Art Warren and right-hander Bryan Shaw on his alternate training side.
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