The Mariners have designated right-handed pitcher Mike Wright for assignment, according to Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times (Twitter link). In a corresponding move, right-handed reliever David McKay has been recalled from Triple-A. The move leaves the team with an open spot on the 40-man roster.
The news—marking the second time Wright has been designated in the last month—comes in the wake of an ugly outing last night, in which Wright was shelled to the tune of five runs in two innings amidst a 18-4 drubbing at the hands of the Twins. Despite the unsightly 9.00 ERA Wright has posted in his brief stint with the Mariners, who acquired the 29-year-old in late April, Wright’s peripherals seem to indicate better underlying performance than during his stay in Baltimore. In seven games with Seattle, he has pitched to a 3.29 FIP, a much better mark than the 7.68 FIP that earned him a one-way ticket out of Baltimore.
Nonetheless, it evidently was not enough to compel the Mariners to keep him around, and Wright could once again find himself on the move should a team choose to take a chance on his stuff. If not, Wright could remain in the Mariners organization and serve to provide minor-league depth. Of course, this is the latest disappointing development in a rocky career for Wright, who has posted a 6.08 ERA in 253 MLB innings.
Meanwhile, 24-year-old David McKay will join the Mariners’ active roster and is slated to make his Major League debut. The right-hander has appeared in 14 games for Triple-A Tacoma, striking out 34 batters in 21 1/3 innings of work. Acquired early last season from the Royals for cash, McKay features a fastball/slider combination that could make him a suitable relief arm in the middle innings.
