Mariners make surprising Rowdy Tellez roster decision
The post Mariners make surprising Rowdy Tellez roster decision appeared first on ClutchPoints.
The Seattle Mariners are now five games back of the AL West Division after leading for the majority of the season. They need to get back on track fast. The Houston Astros have surged ahead of them, and now the Mariners are just 1.5 games ahead of the Los Angeles Angels.
Advertisement
On Friday, one day after a much-needed day off, Seattle starts a series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The contest starts at 2:20 ET, so it will begin here shortly. Ahead of the series, the team made a roster move that is a bit surprising. They designated first baseman and designated hitter Rowdy Tellez for assignment and reinstated utility man Luke Raley from the 10-day IL.
Tellez is having a rough season compared to some good years in the past. His home run numbers are actually on pace to be better than a majority of his career years; however, he can't get on base at a consistent rate. His average is at just .208, and his OBP is .249. His 11 homers are second on the team behind the home run leader, Cal Raleigh, who has 27. The Mariners don't have a lot of pop outside of Raleigh, so potentially losing Tellez will see some decreases in homers.
Luke Raley is valuable because he plays the outfield as well as first base. His numbers aren't much better in very few ABs this season, but the team is giving him a chance due to past success. He hit 22 home runs last season and 19 the year before that for the Mariners. He had an .824 OPS in 2023. Seattle is hoping Raley can return to that form, which would provide a valuable left-handed bat in the middle of the lineup.
If the Mariners want to get back on track quickly, they will need their left-handed bats to step up this weekend against the Cubs, with two right-handed pitchers on the mound Saturday and Sunday.
Related: 3 Seattle Mariners who must make 2025 All-Star Team
Related: Mariners trade proposal lands Ryan O'Hearn from Orioles
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Chelsea beat Benfica in comical Club World Cup game
Chelsea beat Benfica 4-1 after extra time in the Round of 16 of the Club World Cup but despite the high stakes, the game was overshadowed by events off the field. It has been a familiar story in this competition. Fan attendances have been disappointingly low for FIFA. But they would have been hoping that knockout games, especially ones involving huge global teams such as Chelsea, may have changed the tune. Advertisement The Bank of America stadium holds 74,867 fans, but the official attendance was less than a third of that. And the major event of the game, that occurred in the 85th minute, was a stoppage due to weather conditions that lasted 106 minutes. Yes that's correct. The stoppage lasted longer than the game itself. Chelsea were minutes away from a 1-0 win at that point, and what happened when play resumed was unimaginable. Events on the field got off to a quick start, despite the 32 degree temperature. Chelsea controlled early possession, and had a brilliant chance to open the scoring in the 19th minute via the ever-dangerous Marc Cucurella, but he saw his curled effort headed off the line by Antonio Silva, who was brilliant throughout. Advertisement The Spaniard then came close again in the 38th minute. It's an interesting position for Enzo Maresca, on one hand he must be delighted with how threatening the full-back is, but on the other it must be slightly concerning that he genuinely seems one of the most likely players to score for Chelsea. He draws comparison to former Blues player Marcos Alonso, also a marauding Spanish full-back who was a constant threat for Chelsea over the years. The second period was largely stale, and after Chelsea failed to capitalise on their first half dominance and numerous chances, they struggled after the break. But the three minutes between the 61st-64th had a huge impact on the game, and possibly Chelsea's next…. Advertisement Caicedo was booked, meaning he will miss the quarter-final, and just moments later Reece James broke the deadlock via a very intelligent free-kick. 25-yards out, hugging the left touch-line, it seemed a nothing opportunity for a standard cross into the box, but James had other plans. He took it quickly and shot powerfully, catching Anatoliy Trubin completely unaware. The old adage goes that you are most vulnerable straight after scoring, and that proved true as moments later Vangelis Pavlidis went clean through and was almost one-on-one with Rob Sanchez, but for some great defending from Benoit Badiashile. Then the weather warning suspended play in the 85th minute. And we had to wait just under two hours for proceedings to resume…. Advertisement Despite many thinking it would just be an obligatory five minutes of football that had to be finished off, it became much more than that. Malo Gusto gave away a penalty for handball, which Angel Di Maria, who had been completely anonymous to that point, dispatched cooly. Extra-time began, and within two minutes Gianluca Prestianni, who only came on for Benica in the 70th minute, was sent off for a second yellow. By now this game felt farcical, and, frankly, never-ending. It felt as though players and fans alike just wanted to see a conclusion. And a conclusion came shortly, when in the second period of extra time, Caicedo shot across goal, the keeper spilled it, and Christopher Nkunku bundled in the rebound. Advertisement The Frenchman had a very tough last season, and the emotion on his face was clear to see. Even Maresca ran onto the pitch to celebrate with the team, which he has never done before. But the goals didn't stop there, as Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall added one each to make the final score 4-1. Chelsea will now play Palmeiras in Philadelphia on Saturday, and as was evident from the celebrations after Nkunku's goal, they clearly care about winning this competition. Watch the FIFA Club World Cup | June 14 – July 13 | Every Game | Free | #FIFACWC#TakeItToTheWorld
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Inter Milan & Argentina Starlet Plays Down Summer Loan Talk: ‘Inter & Chivu Believe In Me'
Inter Milan & Argentina Starlet Plays Down Summer Loan Talk: 'Inter & Chivu Believe In Me' Valentin Carboni isn't in any rush to go out on loan again, as he feels Inter Milan and Cristian Chivu 'believe' in him. The 20-year-old Argentine international spoke to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, in an interview in today's print edition. Advertisement Valentin Carboni is currently part of the Inter Milan squad in the United States for the Club World Cup. The Argentine memorably scored the stoppage time winner in a 2-1 group stage victory over Urawa Red Diamonds. In general, new Nerazzurri coach Cristian Chivu has not hesitated to trust Carboni. That is in keeping with the Romanian coach's remit to put his faith in youth. Last summer Carboni had went on loan to Marseille. However, a serious knee injury in the autumn utterly derailed plans for him in France. The season before, the Argentine had enjoyed a positive campaign out on loan with Monza. Valentin Carboni Plays Down Loan Talk: 'Inter & Chivu Believe In Me' MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JUNE 29: Valentin Carboni of Argentina looks on during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Group A match between Argentina and Peru at Hard Rock Stadium on June 29, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by) As far as the possibility of another loan this summer, Valentin Carboni said 'I don't know.' Advertisement 'It's too early to talk about that,' the 20-year-old made clear. 'Right now, we're at the Club World Cup. And then the preseason, to stay in the group.' 'Whatever the solution is I know that Inter believe in me and always have,' Carboni added. 'Like Chivu does.' Meanwhile, Carboni gave his thoughts on his best position. 'In theory I'm an attacking midfielder,' he said. 'An enganche, as we say in Argentina.' 'But it's hard to find teams that play with someone behind the striker these days,' he admitted. 'Which is why players like me often move into more of a box-to-box role.' 'Maybe that's the position I see myself in in the future. Perhaps with more of an attack-minded role.' Advertisement Furthermore, Carboni noted that it's a 'positive moment' to be a younger player at Inter. 'Maybe they're 'seeing' us more than before,' he commented. 'And now we have Chivu, who's used to working with the younger guys and launching their careers.' Carboni declared that 'we just have to push to the maximum and get our chances.' 'If we deserved them, they'll come,' the Argentine said. 'But we also have to remember that this is Inter.' 'With so many top players, it's never easy to break through.' 'Sometimes it's necessary to gain experience elsewhere and then return,' Carboni admitted.
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Report – Injury Scare For Inter Milan Striker Ahead Of FIFA Club World Cup Clash Vs Fluminense
Striker Francesco Pio Esposito has suffered a possible muscle injury ahead of Inter Milan's Club World Cup round of sixteen clash with Fluminense. This according to today's print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. They report that today it will be determined whether it is an injury or just a bit of fatigue. Advertisement Inter Milan take on Fluminense in the round of sixteen of the Club World Cup tomorrow. Reportedly, Nerazzurri coach Cristian Chivu had been ready to hand the start to young striker Francesco Pio Esposito. The Italy Under-21 international had started for Inter in their final group stage match against River Plate. And he certainly made the most of that opportunity, scoring his first ever senior goal for Inter. Injury Scare For Francesco Pio Esposito Ahead Of Inter Vs Fluminense Clash SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 25: Francesco Esposito #94 of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team's first goal with Lautaro Martinez #10 during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between FC Internazionale Milano and CA River Plate at Lumen Field on June 25, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by) However, according to the Gazzetta dello Sport, there is some concern about Pio Esposito's physical condition after the match against River. Advertisement The 20-year-old had already missed Inter's first group stage match against Monterrey. he then came off the bench against Urawa Red Diamonds. According to the Gazzetta, Francesco Pio Esposito has been dealing with some discomfort in training yesterday. Today, the young striker will have to see whether the pain worsens. He could undergo tests with the Nerazzurri medical staff. Therefore, today will be decisive to see whether Pio Esposito is able to feature against Fluminense tomorrow.
