Mariners' Jonatan Clase: On taxi squad, promotion possible
Rotowire
Clase was with the Mariners in Baltimore on Sunday as part of the taxi squad and is likely to remain with the team as it starts a four-game series with the Yankees in New York on Monday, MLB.com reports.
Daniel Kramer of the team's official site confirmed Clase is up as part of the taxi squad for the moment. However, with Jorge Polanco (hamstring) potentially headed to the IL early in the week, Clase could soon find himself officially promoted to the big-league roster for the second time this season.
Mariners' Jonatan Clase: Inconsistent since minors return
Rotowire
Clase owns a .156 average and .311 slugging percentage across the 58 plate appearances he's logged for Triple-A Tacoma since his April 29 demotion.
Clase had posted a .333/.333/.500 slash line over the first 12 games of the Rainiers' season before getting the call up to the big-league club, where he got off to a similarly strong start before tailing off. The subsequent return to Tacoma started off particularly ragged, as Clase went 3-for-33 over his first nine games, albeit with nine walks and five steals, before showing some signs of life in the last three games with two home runs, four walks and another pair of stolen bases. Clase is an elite speed threat who's proven capable of generating above-average walk rates throughout his time in the minors, and although his strikeout rates also tend to get elevated, he could certainly be a consideration for a return to the majors this summer.
The Mariners optioned Clase to Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.
Clase produced a .509 OPS in nine games with the big club and had seen his playing time dip recently. Rather than stall his development as a part-time player, the Mariners will send him back to Tacoma, where he can play every day.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Jonatan Clase: Heading back to Tacoma
Rotowire
Clase is expected to be optioned back to Triple-A Tacoma before Monday's series opener against Atlanta, MLB.com reports.
The speedy rookie reached safely in his first four games after being called up April 15, but Clase had seen his playing time evaporate over the last three games. He'll head back to Tacoma to continue getting regular at-bats, and veteran utility man Sam Haggerty is expected to be promoted to the big-league club in a corresponding move.
... See More... See Less
Mariners' Jonatan Clase: On bench again
Rotowire
Clase is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.
Clase will take a seat for a third straight game while the Mariners roll with Luke Raley and Mitch Haniger as their starters in the corner-outfield spots. Since being called up from Triple-A Tacoma on April 15, Clase has appeared in six games and has gone 5-for-20 with three RBI, one run and two stolen bases. The speedy 21-year-old initially looked on track to handle a regular role in the outfield following Dominic Canzone's (shoulder) placement on the injured list, but Clase may instead be part of a timeshare with Raley in left field.
Clase is not in the starting lineup for Game 2 of Sunday's doubleheader with the Rockies.
Clase will take a seat after he went 0-for-3 with a stolen base in Seattle's 2-1 extra-inning loss in Game 1 on Sunday. Dylan Moore will take over in left field and bat sixth in the nightcap.
Mariners' Jonatan Clase: Nearly pulls off wild play
Rotowire
Clase went 2-for-4 with a two-run single in a win over the Rockies on Saturday.
The dynamic rookie emptied the bases in the fifth inning with a single to right that rolled by Rockies right fielder Sean Bouchard, allowing Ty France, Cal Raleigh and Mitch Garver to cross the plate. Clase, who has elite speed, tried to follow his teammates' lead, but he was thrown out on his headfirst slide at home. Nevertheless, it was another productive night with the bat for Clase, who's now reached safely in all four of his big-league games and knocked in at least one run in three of them.
