Seattle Mariners Call Up Mike Ford and Steven Souza Jr

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 26: Steven Souza Jr #21 of the Seattle Mariners prepares for a spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix on March 26, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - MARCH 26: Steven Souza Jr #21 of the Seattle Mariners prepares for a spring training game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix on March 26, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Ahead of this weekend’s matchup with the Mets, the Seattle Mariners have called up first baseman Mike Ford and outfielder Steven Souza Jr.

The Mariners sent down outfield prospect Jarred Kelenic in the same group of roster moves, so Seattle appears inclined to seek win-now production from veterans as opposed to prioritizing experience for youngsters at this point of the season.

Mike Ford Mariners
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – MARCH 26: Mike Ford #70 of the Seattle Mariners gets ready in the batters box against the Milwaukee Brewers during a spring training game at American Family Fields of Phoenix on March 26, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Originally an undrafted free agent with the Yankees in 2013, Mike Ford, a 29-year-old lefty power hitter, spent Spring Training with the Mariners this year but wasn’t able to make the Opening Day roster. He started the season with Triple-A Tacoma, was DFA’d, signed on with the Giants, then was traded right back to Seattle on May 12th. With three right-handed starters on deck against the Mets this weekend, the Mariners hope Ford can bring some lefty pop to the lineup.

Steven Souza Jr., a 33-year-old veteran outfielder who stood out in Mariners Spring Training with a .987 OPS, has hit well in the middle of Tacoma’s batting order so far this season; he’s sporting a .950 OPS with 5 home runs and 17 RBIs, and has brought some intense leadership to the young squad. A native of Everett, WA, it will be exciting to see Souza take the field this weekend for his hometown team for the first time in his career.

Steven Souza Jr Mariners
Mar 19, 2022; Peoria, Arizona, USA; Seattle Mariners outfielder Steven Souza Jr. (21) celebrates after hitting a grand slam in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during spring training at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

Hopefully, Ford and Souza can bring a quality veteran presence to a young Seattle team currently struggling through a brutal 3-12 stretch in their last 15 games.

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