The Mariners Wednesday recalled RHP Felix Hernandez from his rehab assignment, summoned OF Nori Aoki and C Mike Zunino from AAA Tacoma, and optioned LHP David Rollins, OF Daniel Robertson and C Jesus Sucre to the Rainiers. Hernandez was to start against the Chicago White Sox at Safeco Field Wednesday afternoon.
Hernandez, 30, hasn’t pitched since May 27 after straining a calf muscle in his right leg. He had rehab starts in Everett and Tacoma.
Before the injury, Hernandez had a 4-4 record with a 2.86 ERA with 53 strikeouts and 26 walks in 10 starts. Hernandez was 2-2, 1.38 ERA in his first five outings with the Mariners and 2-2, 4.45 in his final five. Hernandez is the all-time club leader in wins, strikeouts, starts and innings pitched.
Aoki, 34, hit .369 with four RBIs in 16 games with Tacoma. Before being optioned June 24, Aoki hit .245 with 11 RBIs and four stolen bases in 67 games with Seattle.
Zunino, 25, hit .286 with 57 RBIs and 35 walks in 79 games with the Rainiers. He appeared in two games with the Mariners earlier this season, batting .286 with two home runs before being optioned to Tacoma July 6.
Rollins had a 4.05 ERA in eight relief appearances over three stints with the Mariners this season. Rollins earned his first and only MLB win Monday vs. the White Sox. In parts of two seasons with Seattle, Rollins is 1-2 with a 6.82 ERA.
Robertson hit .263 in nine games with Seattle. Prior to coming up from Taccoma July 5, Robertson played in 73 games for the Rainiers, batting .262.
Sucre, 28, hit .125 with two walks in three games with Seattle. Sucre was placed on the 60-day disabled list March 1 after having surgery to repair damage in his right ankle. He sustained a fractured right fibula during winter ball in Venezuela Jan. 17.