Mariners sent Shelton back to Rainiers

Published 4:45 pm Thursday, August 6, 2009

SEATTLE — The Mariners have sent first baseman Chris Shelton back to Triple-A Tacoma after he spent a month with Seattle.

The team announced Thursday that Shelton had cleared waivers and had accepted an outright assignment to the Rainiers.

He had been designated for assignment on Aug. 1 when left-handed starter Luke French was acquired from Detroit for Jarrod Washburn and then added to the roster.

The 29-year-old Shelton batted .231 with four RBI in nine games with the Mariners after being selected from Tacoma on July 9.

Shelton has spent parts of four seasons in the major leagues with Detroit, Texas and Seattle.