We heard rumblings last night that the Mariners had placed left-handed pitcher Garrett Olson on waivers, and it’s going to become official this morning that he’s been claimed by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Olson has pitched in five exhibitions for the Mariners, with a 5.40 ERA in five innings.
With 40-man roster spots at a premium in this Mariners camp, the Olson move gives the Mariners a little more flexibility as they approach their opening-day roster decisions. There’s becoming a strong chance of at least three non-roster players making the roster.
Olson, 27, broke in with the Orioles and came to the Mariners before the 2009 season after the Orioles traded him to the Cubs, who 10 days later traded him to the M’s along with Ronny Cedeno in exchange for pitcher Aaron Heilman.
The move leaves 46 players in their major league camp, 30 roster players and 16 non-roster invitees.
