Mariners press panic button, DFA Martin, promote Vogelbach

Seattle Mariners' Daniel Vogelbach bats against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 23, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) Seattle Mariners' Daniel Vogelbach bats against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, April 23, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot) Photo: Ben Margot/AP Photo: Ben Margot/AP Image 1 of / 53 Caption Close Mariners press panic button, DFA Martin, promote Vogelbach 1 / 53 Back to Gallery

Well that didn't take long.

Less than 20 games into what has been a bitterly disappointing start to the 2017 season, Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto made his first big roster shakeup of the season on Sunday, designating center fielder Leonys Martin for assignment and promoting rookie first baseman Dan Vogelbach from Triple-A Tacoma.

Martin, 29, was off to a dreadful start to the season, batting just .111 with one extra-base hit and 14 strikeouts in 54 at bats while struggling with swing adjustments he made in the spring. Martin's lack of production, combined with a nearly equally as woeful Mariners debut from first baseman Danny Valencia and his .145/.217/.226 slash line necessitated the change.

Martin's lack of minor league options means Seattle was forced to put him on waivers before demoting him to Triple-A. As of early Monday morning, no team has claimed him off waivers.

"Those decisions are hard," manager Scott Servais told reporters before the team's series finale vesus the Oakland A's on Sunday. "I really like Leonys. He's a big part of what we are doing here and, unfortunately, he really hadn't gotten going offensively. It dates back to the second half of last season. He struggled through spring training, then getting off to the rocky start here and we really want to let some other guys play."

With Jarrod Dyson able to move over to center field, the move will likely mean increased roles for outfielder Guillermo Heredia and Taylor Motter, who will go back to his utility man role after shortstop Jean Segura returns from the disabled list, which is expected on Tuesday.

Vogelbach will attempt to bring some offensive production to a first base position that's seen precious little of it over the past decade. The 24-year-old had been performing well in Tacoma after his spring training struggles earned him a somewhat surprising demotion on March 23, hitting .309 with three doubles, two home runs and 14 RBIs in 16 games with the Rainiers.

At first blush, the move seems to have worked out. Vogelbach went 1-for-4 while playing solid defense in Seattle's 11-1 win over Oakland Sunday, helping the M's salvage one victory out of the four-game series.

Seattle also promoted right-handed pitcher Chris Heston from Tacoma and optioned fellow righty Chase De Jong.

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