JOSÉ MARMOLEJOS NEWS

Finds work in Japan Marmolejos signed a contract Tuesday with the Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball.

Impact After being outrighted off the Mariners' 40-man roster in September and then electing free agency less than a month later, Marmolejos likely would have had to settle for a minor-league deal if he wanted to continue playing in affiliated ball in 2022. Rather than going that route, the 28-year-old will instead head overseas at what's likely a higher salary than he would have received on any minor-league deal. Though he mustered a lowly .573 OPS over 122 plate appearances with the Mariners in 2021, Marmolejos earned Triple-A West MVP honors after slashing .338/.439/.672 with 26 home runs across 83 games with Tacoma.

DECEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Outrighted to Tacoma Marmolejos was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma after clearing waivers Friday.

Impact The outfielder was DFA'd on Tuesday after going 6-for-27 with a homer in his latest stint with the big club. He'll remain in the Seattle organization for the time being but will need to be added back to the 40-man roster in order to return to the majors this season.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Designated for assignment Tuesday Marmolejos was designated for assignment by the Mariners on Tuesday, Corey Brock of The Athletic reports.

Impact Marmolejos went 6-for-27 with a homer and three RBI during 10 games since rejoining the big-league roster in late August. With Jake Fraley (shoulder) being activated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday, Seattle has opted to remove Marmolejos from the 40-man roster entirely, though he could remain with the organization if he clears waivers.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

On bench against southpaw Marmolejos isn't starting Monday's game against the Red Sox.

Impact Marmolejos will be on the bench for a second consecutive game with left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez on the mound for Boston. Dylan Moore will start in left field and bat ninth.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Sunday Marmolejos is not in the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Diamondbacks.

Impact Marmolejos went 1-for-4 on Saturday and is now hitting .194 with three extra-base hits and three RBI in his last 10 games. Dylan Moore starts in left field and bats ninth Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Riding pine Friday Marmolejos isn't starting Friday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Impact Marmolejos went 2-for-5 with a double, two RBI and a run Wednesday, but he'll be excluded from the starting nine for the second time in the last three games. Dylan Moore will start in left field and bat ninth.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not in Tuesday's lineup Marmolejos isn't starting Tuesday's game against the Astros.

Impact Even with right-hander Jake Odorizzi on the mound for the Astros on Tuesday, Marmolejos will retreat to the bench for the third time in the last five games. Jake Bauers will start in left field and bat ninth.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Doubles, scores in Saturday's win Marmolejos went 2-for-4 with a double and a run in a win over the Diamondbacks on Saturday.

Impact Marmolejos commemorated his return to the majors in his first game back Monday by launching a solo home run against the Astros, but he'd subsequently gone 0-for-7 in the pair of games he'd logged a plate appearance in since that contest. Saturday's multi-hit effort snapped that brief funk and marked Marmolejos' first such tally at the big-league level since April 13.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gets breather Friday Marmolejos isn't in the lineup for Friday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Impact Marmolejos had started each of the last three games after his contract was selected Monday, but he went just 1-for-9 with a solo home run and three strikeouts. Dylan Moore will take over in left field and bat eighth.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Homers in return to majors Marmolejos went 1-for-2 with a solo home run in a 4-3 loss to Houston on Monday.

Impact After being called up earlier on Monday, Marmolejos connected on a second-inning Luis Garcia offering to get Seattle on the board. It was the lefty's first game since May 19 and he'll most likely need to string together some quality performances to earn a relevant role.

AUGUST 31, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Astros rally late against former teammate, top Mariners 4-3

Jake Meyers had the last of three singles as part of Houston’s eighth-inning rally against former teammate Joe Smith, scoring Kyle Tucker with the go-ahead run and sending the Astr...

AUGUST 31, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Contract selected by Mariners Marmolejos' contract was selected from Triple-A Tacoma on Monday.

Impact Marmolejos appeared in 31 major-league games earlier in the year but was outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma in late May. He's been effective with the Triple-A club since then, as he's slashed .360/.452/.700 with 23 home runs, 71 RBI and 58 runs across 72 games. The 28-year-old will serve as outfield depth after Jake Fraley (shoulder) was recently placed on the 10-day IL.

AUGUST 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Tearing it up at Tacoma Marmolejos owns a .370/.456/.741 slash line with four doubles, two triples, 14 home runs, 35 RBI and 27 runs over the 40 games he's played with Triple-A Tacoma since being outright...

Impact The 28-year-old has put together a prolific minor-league career ever since his 2013 professional debut, but success has largely evaded him at the big-league level in two stints with the Mariners. Although Marmolejos would have to be added back to the 40-man roster in order to return to the major-league squad, the body of work he's putting together with the Rainiers may force the issue in that regard eventually.

JULY 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Removed from 40-man roster The Mariners outrighted Marmolejos to Triple-A Tacoma on Sunday.

Impact The 28-year-old first baseman/outfielder will remain in the Seattle organization after none of MLB's other 29 clubs put in a waiver claim for him. Before being cast off the 40-man roster Thursday, Marmolejos slashed .139/.266/.278 with a 34 percent strikeout rate over 94 plate appearances with the Mariners.

MAY 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Designated for assignment Marmolejos was designated for assignment by the Mariners on Thursday.

Impact Marmolejos had started each of the last six games for the Mariners but went just 2-for-17 with a run, an RBI, three walks and seven strikeouts during that time. He'll now be removed from the 40-man roster to make room for Jacob Nottingham and Jose Godoy, who were added to the major-league roster as part of a corresponding move.

MAY 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Turnbull twirls 5th no-hitter of MLB season, Tigers top M's

Spencer Turnbull pitched the fifth no-hitter in the majors already this season, sending the Detroit Tigers to a 5-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners

MAY 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mired in extended slump Marmolejos, who went 0-for-4 in a win over the Astros on Thursday, is hitting .063 (1-for-16) with three walks and two runs over his last seven games.

Impact That stretch includes four starts for the 28-year-old, who, during his first 172 big-league plate appearances in the last season-plus, has been unable to come anywhere close to replicating the success with the bat he consistently enjoyed during a seven-year minor-league career. Marmolejos' season slash is down to .163/.281/.388 after his latest hitless effort Thursday, although his five extra-base hits (two doubles, three home runs) and eight RBI help prevent his season from being a total fantasy wasteland thus far.

APRIL 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sits in Lewis' return Marmolejos is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Dodgers, Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle reports.

Impact Marmolejos hit .200 with three home runs while starting in eight of Seattle's last 10 games, but his run of regular playing time looks like it could be over. Though the fact that the Dodgers are starting a lefty (Julio Urias) is likely the main reason the lefty-hitting Marmolejos is on the bench, the 28-year-old's path to a corner outfield spot against right-handed pitching now looks to be blocked. Kyle Lewis (knee) was reinstated from the injured list Tuesday, and he, Mitch Haniger and Taylor Trammell are expected to serve as Seattle's primary starters in the outfield for now. Marmolejos could still see occasional action at first base or DH, however.

APRIL 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Hammers two-run homer Marmolejos went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run during Monday's 4-3 win over the Dodgers.

Impact Marmolejos opened up the scoring for the Mariners when he connected on a low fastball for a line-drive home run to put the Mariners up 2-0 in the first. He was quiet at the plate the rest of the night and is now slashing .212/.316/.545 with three home runs, eight RBI and five runs scored in 33 at-bats. The 28-year-old's corner-outfield playing time is likely to dry up with Kyle Lewis (knee) set to debut Tuesday after missing the first few weeks of the season with a left knee injury, but Marmolejos will still see occasional action at first base or DH.

APRIL 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Clubs second homer Marmolejos went 2-for-4 with a double and a three-run home run in a 7-6 loss to the Orioles during the second game of Tuesday's doubleheader.

Impact After striking out as a pinch hitter in the matinee, the 28-year-old got the start at first base in the nightcap and did some damage against young Baltimore righty Dean Kremer. Marmolejos primarily played left field last year but has only seen action at first base and DH to begin 2021, but he could push for more playing time thanks to a 1.018 OPS with two homers and six RBI in only 19 at-bats.

APRIL 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Cedes first base to Evan White Marmolejos is out of the lineup for the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Orioles.

Impact Marmolejos had started each of the Mariners' last three games, but he'll take a seat now that Evan White (quadriceps) has been cleared to return to the starting nine. Before that three-game run, Marmolejos had only been in the lineup once in the Mariners' first six games.

APRIL 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Contributes again as starter Marmolejos, who drew his third straight start in Sunday's win over the Twins, went 1-for-3 with a double and a run.

Impact Marmolejos was in the starting nine again Sunday due to Evan White's (quadriceps) ongoing absence, and he laced an extra-base hit for the second game during that span. Marmolejos is hitting just .214 (3-for-16) over his first six games, but his ability to fill multiple positions and extensive track record of success at the plate in the minors should play a part in him continuing to see semi-regular playing time as the season unfolds.

APRIL 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Launches first homer Marmolejos went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during Thursday's loss to the Twins.

Impact Marmolejos swatted his first long ball of the year with a solo shot to right center field against Jose Berrios in the sixth inning. The 28-year-old earned a spot on Seattle's roster after a strong spring during which he slashed .300/.391/.400 across 46 plate appearances.

APRIL 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Mariners use 7-run inning to avoid sweep, top White Sox 8-4

Kyle Seager slapped an opposite-field, bases clearing double for the big blow in Seattle’s seven-run sixth inning, and the Mariners avoided a sweep with an 8-4 win over the Chicago...

APRIL 8, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cinches Opening Day roster spot Marmolejos has made the Mariners' Opening Day roster as a utility option, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports.

Impact Marmolejos earned his spot with a strong spring at the plate, one in which he slashed .300/.391/.400 across 46 plate appearances. The 28-year-old offers manager Scott Servais a valuable left-handed bat, can play left field and first base, and was already out of minor-league options, all factors that also helped his cause to stick on the Opening Day roster.

APRIL 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE