Mariners trade Ramirez to Rays for left-hander Montgomery

PEORIA, Ariz. — The Seattle Mariners solved their Erasmo Ramirez dilemma Tuesday night by trading the right-handed pitcher to Tampa Bay for left-handed pitcher Mike Montgomery.

Ramirez, 24, is out of options, but the Mariners had no place for him on their 25-man roster. That meant they either had to trade him or risk losing him on a waiver claim.

In contrast, Montgomery, 25, has options and is likely to start the season at Triple-A Tacoma. He was 10-5 with a 4.29 ERA last season in 25 starts at Triple-A Durham.

Montgomery was a supplemental first-round pick by Kansas City in 2008 and once viewed as that organization’s top pitching prospect. Baseball America ranked him among the game’s top-40 prospects from 2010-12.

He has yet to reach that potential and has never pitched in the big leagues. Montgomery is 42-47 with a 4.28 ERA in seven minor-league seasons.

The Rays acquired Montgomery as part of a seven-player trade on Dec. 9, 2012 that also netted outfielder Wil Myers and pitcher Jake Odorizzi and sent pitchers James Shields and Wade Davis to the Royals.

Ramirez opened last season with the Mariners but spent much of the year at Tacoma. He is 7-12 with a 4.62 ERA in 47 games, including 35 starts, over parts of three big-league seasons.

Roster moves

The Mariners cleaned up their Rule XX (B) free agents by releasing left-handed pitcher Joe Saunders and outfielders Endy Chavez and Franklin Gutierrez from their minor-league contracts.

Saunders and Gutierrez then signed new minor-league deals that are not bound by the Rule XX (B) provisions. Chavez opted to become a free agent.

Right-handed pitcher Kevin Correia, who also qualified, was released Monday and chose to become a free agent.

The Rule XX (B) provision covers major-league free agents who sign minor-league contracts. They must be informed, five days prior to the start of the season, whether they will make the major-league roster.

If a qualifying player does not make the roster, he must be released or paid a $100,000 retention bonus and receive a June 1 opt-out clause in his minor-league contract.

Clubs often release such players and attempt to re-sign them to new minor-league deals that aren’t covered by the provision.

Smith update

Right fielder Seth Smith got another day to rest his sore ankle, but manager Lloyd McClendon insisted it’s not a long-term issue.

“He could have played (Monday),” McClendon said. “I didn’t want to take a chance. He rolled his ankle sliding into home. It was a little swollen to the bottom of the foot.

“He wasn’t going to play today (against a left-hander), so I thought it just made sense to give him two more days off.”

Zunino’s workload

Mike Zunino started again Tuesday — he leads all catchers this spring in innings played — but is slotted for a day off Wednesday when the Mariners play the Chicago White Sox at Peoria Stadium.

“There were some things we wanted him to do this spring,” McClendon said. “Taking charge of the staff. Running that staff and getting them to do the things that he needs them to do in order to be successful.

“I think it’s taken the whole six weeks to get that out of the staff. That’s why he’s played as much as he’s played.”

Zunino contends he enjoys the heavy workload.

“I’ve been in there six, seven innings,” he said, “but it’s been multiple days, and I think that’s the best thing because, for me, it’s about getting that recovery back. Getting your body to the condition to play the next day.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

X
Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16

Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.