The Seattle Mariners sparked new enthusiasm with Cal Raleigh making his return against the Baltimore Orioles. Now the franchise made a pair of key MLB Free Agency moves following his return.
The team recalled outfielder/infielder Connor Joe via the Triple-A Tacoma affiliate. But then they optioned outfielder Curtis Johnson Jr. to the High-A affiliate in Everett. The Mariners confirmed both moves via a news release on Wednesday.
Joe arrives as the seasoned veteran of the two. The 33-year-old has already appeared in 18 Mariners games. Joe has delivered six hits while scoring two runs and drove three runners home.
He’s produced a higher batting average with Tacoma (.242) compared to Seattle (.182). Joe ripped two home runs while smacking seven doubles and nine RBIs.
The Mariners represent his sixth MLB stop. Joe started his career with the San Francisco Giants in 2019. But he opted out of the 2020 season during the period of COVID-19. The San Diego native landed with the Colorado Rockies next in 2021 and 2022. Pittsburgh rose as his next stop in 2023 and 2024, combining to hit 20 home runs. Joe produced his best hitting output with the Pirates in the 2023 season with 102 hits.
Joe lined up for two teams in 2025: Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres. Now he’ll swing his way toward landing in the batting order for Seattle.
Washington Jr. fell into Seattle during the 2022 MLB Draft (for first year players). The Everett AquaSox watched him pound seven home runs this season. He’s swung for Single-A affiliate the Modesto Nuts in Central California too.
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