Mariners Sign Jesus Colome to a minor league contract

Veteran reliever who throws the heat but has little control and doesn’t have a history of missing bats.  He could surprise and make the big club, but I don’t like his chances much considering some of the other arms competing for those final bullpen spots.  He’s serviceable if you keep him away from lefties.

Yusmeiro Petit clears waivers

Picked up on waivers back in November and recently booted from the roster to make room for Erik Bedard.  Petit is a strike thrower that relies on deception and his outfield defense to get outs.  He’s had a big time home run problem in the big leagues, making Safeco Field one place he might succeed.  I’m glad we get to keep him, but he’s no better than the other #5 types on the roster right now.

Gaby Hernandez claimed by Boston Red Sox

I didn’t see this one coming.  Gaby was once a top prospect with the New York Mets and Florida Marlins, but his fastball has lost a few ticks and his curveball lost all bite.  Unreported injury?  Off the juice?  Lost his drive?  Who knows?  He was worth keeping around in the minor leagues just in case he somehow tapped into his former self, but the Gaby Hernandez we saw in Tacoma last season was not someone you worry about losing.  I was very surprised to see him claimed over Petit.

Tommy Everidge clears waivers

This is old news by now, but I never mentioned it and, like I said, may as well for archiving purposes.  Everidge was a placeholder for a similar but better and more experienced player.  That player turned out to be Ryan Garko.  Not much is expected from Everidge, but he’s a decent enough hitter that I’m sure Seattle isn’t complaining about trying to find a spot for him in Tacoma.  We could be in store for some entertaining defensive alignments in Tacoma once again this year.