Mariners select Seby Zavala and sign Chris Devenski

The Mariners announced that they have selected the catcher’s contract Seby Zavalawith left hand Jonathan Diaz transferred to Triple-A Tacoma in a corresponding move. In addition, the M’s have right-handed Chris Devenski to a major league contract, although Devenski will be headed to Tacoma. Seattle had three vacancies on its 40-man roster today, bringing the total to 39.

Zavala, 30, was arrested as part of the Eugenio Suarez Trade in November. He was used as a backup catcher for a while, Cal Raleigh the majority of the playing time. The M’s had also signed Mitch Garver But with the idea of ​​using him primarily as a designated hitter, even though Garver played more behind the plate as the season progressed.

That left Zavala with just 43 batting appearances through mid-June. In that limited time, he batted .154/.214/.282 and had a 37.2% strikeout rate. When Garver began to put on the tools of ignorance, Zavala was designated for assignment and cut from the roster. He was eligible to opt for free agency at that point, but stayed with the M’s and is now back in the major leagues.

His selection is likely due to Garver’s condition, as he was hit on the right wrist by a pitch on Sunday. He was catcher in that game when Raleigh was in the DH slot, but Raleigh went behind the plate in the third inning when Garver walked, leaving the M’s without a DH for the rest of the game.

According to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com on X, Garver is feeling better, but he’s still sore and will “feel it out,” as Garver himself puts it. With him apparently out for at least a few days, the club was left with only Raleigh and no backup catcher, which prompted Zavala’s return. Once Garver is healthy, Zavala could be forced out again, with no options left.

Devenski, 33, was released by the Rays last week but quickly found a new job. As a veteran with more than five years of service, he can’t be moved to the minor leagues without his consent. Since the M’s announced he’s going to Tacoma, he may have given his consent, unless it’s just a move on paper until he reports to the club.

The right-hander had a rough season with the Rays, throwing 26 2/3 innings and allowing 6.75 earned runs per nine. His 19.7% strikeout rate and 11.5% walk rate were both below average, prompting Tampa to release him.

The M’s clearly have an idea how to get him back on his feet. He was once a dominant reliever with the Astros, throwing 189 innings with that club in 2016 and 2017 with a 2.35 ERA, 28.2% strikeout rate and 6.4% walk rate. But he struggled in subsequent years, missing time due to injuries including Tommy John surgery. He had a 4.56 ERA in 2018 and 2019 and then a 9.47 ERA from 2020-2022.

Last year, he seemed to show some life, pitching 42 1/3 innings between the Angels and Rays. During that time, he had a 4.46 ERA, as well as a 24.3% strikeout rate and a 6.4% walk rate. The Rays were encouraged enough to bring him back for 2024 with $1.1 million guaranteed, in the form of a $1 million salary this year and a $100,000 severance package for a 2025 option.

But now that Devenski has been released, the Rays have to pay the money. The M’s only owe him the prorated version of the major league minimum salary for the time he spent on the roster, with that amount deducted from the Rays’ salary.

The M’s have suffered some setbacks in their bullpen this year, with each Matt Brash, Gregory Santos, Jackson Kowar And Gift of Speier is currently on the injured list, with Brash and Kowar out for the year due to Tommy John surgery. It can’t hurt to take Devenski on the cheap and see if he can make up for those losses by getting back into shape.