Casey Lawrence selected, Austin Shenton DFA’d in preparation for rainy Chicago showdown

Jhonathan Díaz gets the bad call.

The Seattle Mariners announced Tuesday that they have selected the contract of RHP Casey Lawrence for the fourth time this season. To clear a space on the 40-man roster, Seattle has designated 1B Austin Shenton for assignment, and optioned LHP Jhonathan Díaz back to Triple-A Tacoma.

It’s a mildly hilarious circumstance with Lawrence and the Mariners. The veteran journeyman is highly prepared for his seesaw existence, having taken up residence in/near the city of Tacoma. Back in the M’s organization after a one game stint across the border with the Toronto Blue Jays, Lawrence will likely only be afforded a single game’s worth of run yet again. Slated as the long man behind opener Casey Legumina, Lawrence has the opportunity to enter the top 200 in innings pitched in Mariners history. It would take five full frames, but would push him past Dave Beard, Carson Smith, Dave Heaverlo, Karl Best, Matt Wagner, and Jim Converse.

Out the other end are Díaz and Shenton. The compact southpaw did not see the field in this call-up, as Seattle’s four game win streak has neither featured immense breathing room nor the struggles that would necessitate his use. Shenton, meanwhile, has struggled mightily in his return to the M’s organization. Seen as a possible first base/bench bat option entering Peoria, Shenton instead ended up in Tacoma for the first time after poor performance and the emergence of Rowdy Tellez. The 27 year old local kid may clear waivers given his struggles this season, though 2025 is the first season he’s struggled to produce at the plate as a pro.