The Mariners refresh their bullpen by designating Hector Noesi and calling up Dominic Leone.
The Seattle Mariners have designated right-hander Hector Noesi for assignment, the team has announced. In a corresponding transaction, the club will add 22-year-old reliever Dominic Leone to the 25-man roster.
The #Mariners have selected RHP Dominic Leone from AAA Tacoma and DFA'd RHP Hector Noesi.
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) April 4, 2014The move comes just a day after Noesi gave up a 12th inning walk off home run to Athletics outfielder Coco Crisp that resulted in the Mariners' heartbreaking 3-2 loss. Seattle used a total of seven pitchers in the game, so Noesi's demotion and Leone's promotion also serves to add an extra arm to an exhausted Mariners bullpen.
Acquired in 2012's Jesus Montero/Michael Pineda swap, Noesi has been a sub-replacement level player (-1.0 total WAR) over the past four years with the Yankees and Mariners. Noesi has never had a defined role in Seattle, flipping from the bullpen to the rotation and vice versa a number of times, while notching a career ERA of 5.64. Noesi is likely headed to Triple-A Tacoma.
Since being selected in the 16th round of the 2012 draft, Leone has been a dominant reliever, posting a 1.95 ERA and 9.6 K/9 in 97 inning over the past two years. The former Clemson Tiger can reach 97 MPH on his fastball despite his 5'11" stature. Leone has just 18 innings in the high minors, as he skyrocketed from Low-A Clinton to Double-A Jackson last season.