Mariners make tough (but correct) Rowdy Tellez decision as star 2024 slugger returns

First reported by MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer, the Seattle Mariners have designated first baseman Rowdy Tellez for assignment to make room for Luke Raley, who rejoined the team Friday in Chicago ahead of their weekend series with the Cubs.

For some fans, this news hurts. Tellez, after all, made an early impression — not just with his size and somewhat stoic demeanor, but with his unexpectedly strong spring and signature moments that endeared him to the Seattle faithful.

Who could forget his epic homecoming performance in Toronto, where he crushed a home run in each game of the series, including a 12th-inning grand slam that put the Blue Jays to bed and blew the game wide open? Or his surprisingly heads-up stolen base in their most recent series against the Red Sox, a rare sight from a man who could double as a defensive lineman?

Tellez’s stint with the Mariners was short, but not without highlights. Unfortunately, baseball — especially in June — is about performance, fit, and long-term value. And with Luke Raley healthy and ready to contribute, there was no clearer path forward than the one Seattle just took.

Why the Seattle Mariners made the tough call to move on from Rowdy Tellez

Raley’s return created a complicated logjam. The Mariners essentially had three options: demote outfielder Dominic Canzone, DFA veteran Donovan Solano, or cut ties with Tellez.

Sending down Canzone wouldn’t make much sense. The 27-year-old is showing signs of settling in and has arguably been playing the best baseball of his major league career. While his .233/.303/.400 line won’t win awards, it signals clear progress — especially with history of his offensive consistency being hard to come by.

Solano, meanwhile, plays the short side of a platoon at first base and has heated up in June. In his last seven games, he’s slashing .313/.353/.500 with a homer and three RBI — production the Mariners can’t afford to ignore. Plus, pairing Solano with Raley makes for a more versatile and complementary platoon setup.

Tellez, in contrast, offered little upside beyond the long ball. His .222/.217/.467 slash line was buoyed almost entirely by occasional power. With a walk rate of just 4.3% ranking in the bottom eight percentile across MLB, and with his strikeout-heavy tendencies, Tellez was essentially a two-outcome hitter. Homer or whiff. In the end, the numbers simply didn’t justify the roster spot.

If anything, Tellez’s spring surge forced the Mariners to detour from their original plan. Solano was always intended to be a platoon partner — not with Tellez, but with Raley. Now, they have the opportunity to return to that vision.

Raley gives Seattle a more complete offensive weapon. He's got pop, speed, and grit. He can blast a no-doubter off the Hit It Here Café one inning and lay down a bunt single the next. He’s aggressive on the basepaths and plays with a hustle-first mentality that fits the identity the Mariners are trying to forge. Plus, he comes with team control — a factor the front office never takes lightly.

There’s no question Tellez won over a portion of the fanbase. He made memorable moments and became an easy guy to root for. But baseball decisions aren’t made on sentiment, and the Mariners made a clear-eyed move to align their roster with performance, versatility, and future value.

The original plan is back on track. Luke Raley is healthy. Donovan Solano is producing. And the Mariners — still fighting for a spot at the top of the AL West — just made the necessary decision that contenders should be willing to make.