Seattle Mariners make drastic roster change ahead of Wednesday’s game

The Seattle Mariners are making a drastic roster change Wednesday night before Game 3 of their series against the Houston Astros.

For the first time this season, Mitch Garver will be a catcher. He last attended a game in September 2023 while playing for the Texas Rangers.

By Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times on social media:

Servais said they approached Garver about being behind the plate a week ago. They thought it might help him get his bat going. I probably won’t catch the whole game.

Garver signed this offseason to a two-year deal with the idea that he would be the M’s full-time DH, but that just hasn’t translated for him yet this season at the plate. Entering play Wednesday, he was hitting just .171 with five home runs. He’s unlikely to become a true secondary catching option for this team, but getting back behind the plate will be a way for him to stay engaged throughout the game – and something that will allow him to take all the pressure off his attack.

Garver, 33, has a strong big league resume, having hit 87 career home runs over eight big league seasons with the Minnesota Twins, Rangers and Mariners. He hit 31 for the Twins in 2019.

With the Mariners having already stolen two games against the Astros in this series, now might be the best time to try something new. It also gives Cal Raleigh a break against Justin Verlander, against whom he is 1-for-17 lifetime.

The M are 30-26.

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