Mariners Release Josh Smith, Matt Hague; Assign Jayson Werth To Triple-A
The Mariners have made a few transactions at their top affiliate. Righty Josh Smith and infielder Matt Hague have both been released from the Triple-A roster.
Seattle had inked both Smith and Hague to minor league deals, but evidently felt the roster spots in Tacoma were better utilized on other assets. One of those is Jayson Werth, a 15-year MLB veteran who will be playing in his age-39 season. He has been working out at extended Spring Training but could now push toward the MLB roster if he shows well at Tacoma.
Smith, 30, compiled a 14:2 K/BB ratio in his 10 1/3 innings early this season, though he also allowed seven earned runs on 17 hits. In parts of three seasons in the majors, he carries a 5.30 ERA with 7.3 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9 in 127 1/3 innings. The 32-year-old Hague, meanwhile, is a right-handed hitter who primarily has lined up at first base as a professional. He was slashing an eyebrow-raising .226/.419/.264 through 74 plate appearances, with an unusual mix of only two extra base hits but 19 walks against just nine strikeouts.
UPDATE: Smith has signed a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians and is to report to their AAA affiliate Columbus.
