According to his MLB.com transaction record, right-handed pitcher Michael Mariot has been signed by the Mariners to a minor league contract. His new team, the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, is his new assignment. Mariot, 35, had a deal with the Mexican League’s Diablos Rojos del México, but they released him earlier this week, likely so he could join with the Mariners.
The Royals selected Mariot in the eighth round of the 2010 draft, and he made his MLB debut with Kansas City in 2014. From 2016 to ’18, he played in the Phillies, Padres, and, once again, Royals organizations. After the Royals released him in August 2018, the righty spent time in the Atlantic League, the Mexican League, and the American Association before making his way back to affiliated ball. Between 2021 and ’22, he spent time in the Reds, Nationals, Phillies, and Tigers organizations before jetting off to Taiwan to join the CTBC Brothers of the Chinese Professional Baseball League.
He kept transferring leagues the next season. Mariot signed a contract in May with the American Association’s Cleburne Railroaders, and the Reds bought the contract that summer. He appeared in his first major league game since 2016, September 2023, going 2 2/3 innings against Seattle and giving up one run on four hits. Maybe that day the Mariners saw something worth pursuing.
Despite his lack of sustained success in any league or at any level during his professional career, Mariot has made it very evident that he is willing to pitch and has traveled all over the world to do so. This season, Mariot will pitch for the Rainiers for as long as they require him to, providing the Mariners with a reliable alternative for a long relief or spot start.
Leave a Reply