The call-up of Chris Taylor forced the ouster of utility man Willie Bloomquist, a South Kitsap High School grad, after a 622-game Mariners career over two stints.
The Mariners Thursday recalled INF Chris Taylor from AAA Tacoma and designated for assignment utility man Willie Bloomquist, who appeared in 622 games covering two stints with Seattle (2002-08, 2014-15). Taylor is available to the Mariners Thursday night when they begin a four-game series against the Athletics in Oakland.
The 24-year-old Taylor has split time between the Rainiers and Mariners this season, appearing in 20 games for the big league club. With Seattle, Taylor hit .159 with no home runs and one RBI while producing a .221 on-base percentage and .427 OPS. He hit .289 with two home runs and 16 RBIs for Tacoma.
Taylor began the season in Tacoma, was recalled by Seattle May 4 and sent down again following a 6-3 loss to Cleveland May 31.
A Port Orchard native and South Kitsap graduate, Bloomquist joined the Mariners as their third pick in the 1999 June draft. At the end of the 2008 season, he departed Seattle as a free agent and signed with Kansas City, appearing in 125 games in 2009.
Bloomquist spent 2010 with Cincinnati and 2011-13 with Arizona before re-signing with the Mariners Dec. 5, 2013, on a two-year, $5.8 million deal.
The 37-year-old Bloomquist, whose career is likely done, appeared in 35 games this season and hit .159 with a .194 OBP and .368 OPS. In hia Seattle career, Bloomquist batted .259 with seven home runs.
Roenis Elias (4-5, 5.25) will throw Thursday night in the series opener opposite LHP Scott Kazmir (4-5, 2.79). First pitch is 7:05 p.m.
The fourth-place Mariners (36-42), coming off consecutive shutouts of San Diego, wbegin the series 9.5 games behind Houston in the AL West race and 1.5 ahead of the fifth-place A’s (36-45).
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