Seattle Mariners made a notable roster shakeup on Monday, June 9, 2025, as Executive Vice President and General Manager of Baseball Operations Justin Hollander announced the designation for assignment of outfielder Leody Taveras and the recall of outfielder Dominic Canzone from Triple-A Tacoma. This move comes amid the Mariners' ongoing search for stability in right field following injuries and inconsistent performances.
Leody Taveras, 26, who was claimed off waivers from the Texas Rangers on May 6, had been given a chance to solidify his role in Seattle's outfield. However, his stint with the Mariners failed to meet expectations. In 28 games with Seattle, Taveras batted a disappointing .174 with a .470 OPS, including just two home runs and nine RBIs. His offensive struggles were compounded by defensive lapses that became increasingly costly for the team.
Taveras' Mariners debut on May 7 was promising, marked by a game-tying RBI single and scoring the winning run in a 6-5 victory over the Athletics. Yet, that bright start quickly dimmed. Over his last 25 at-bats with the team, he managed only one hit and one walk while striking out six times. His defense, once considered a strong suit, faltered notably, particularly during a June 7 game in Anaheim where he replaced Julio Rodríguez in center field. Taveras misread a ball that ricocheted off his body for an error and later failed to make a leaping catch at the wall, despite calling off the right fielder, Miles Mastrobuoni.
According to FanGraphs metrics, Taveras posted a -1.0 fWAR and a 32 wRC+ during his time with Seattle, well below the league average of 100. Manager Dan Wilson acknowledged Taveras' talent but cited offensive inconsistency as a key issue: "Leody is a very talented player and has a lot of tools. I think offensively, it was a little inconsistent." Despite these struggles, the Mariners remain financially responsible for approximately $3.5 million of the $4.75 million remaining on Taveras' contract for the season.
Taking over Taveras' roster spot is Dominic Canzone, a 27-year-old outfielder recalling his second stint with Seattle this season. Canzone initially appeared in two games back in early April but was soon optioned back to Triple-A Tacoma. His performance there has been impressive, batting .296 with 13 home runs, 36 RBIs, and a .924 OPS in 45 games this season. His 13 homers lead the Rainiers, and he ranks sixth in the Pacific Coast League for home runs and ninth in OPS.
Manager Dan Wilson expressed optimism about Canzone's potential impact: "Dom's been swinging it well, so [this is] a chance to get him up here and give him some at-bats and see how it goes. We know Dom can hit for power; we've known that and we saw that in Spring Training as well. When he gets the barrel to the ball, it goes." Canzone himself credited a return to his Arizona swing mechanics for his recent success: "Just kind of not as tall in my stance. Just kind of getting back to who I am." He also noted that being healthy after battling an AC joint injury in his shoulder last year has helped him regain his form.
Canzone's recall is especially timely as the Mariners await the return of Luke Raley, who has been sidelined since late April with a right oblique strain. Raley is expected to begin a Minor League rehab assignment early this week, providing hope for more depth in the outfield soon. Meanwhile, Canzone is expected to be part of a mix-and-match group in right field, including utility players Miles Mastrobuoni and Dylan Moore, who have been filling in during this transitional period.
Interestingly, Canzone's return to the majors brings him full circle. He was acquired by the Mariners from the Arizona Diamondbacks at the 2023 Trade Deadline as part of the deal that sent Paul Sewald to Arizona. His final game as a D-backs player came against Seattle at Chase Field on July 30, 2023, making his upcoming appearances there with the Mariners particularly meaningful. "For sure special just getting to see the guys from Arizona, of course, and just debuting here, obviously," Canzone said. "Just awesome to be able to take BP early and kind of reminisce over a few of those moments."
Beyond the outfield changes, the Mariners also added Logan Evans from Triple-A Tacoma to their taxi squad on a precautionary basis. The move was unexpected but deemed necessary for roster flexibility. Meanwhile, starting pitcher Bryce Miller, scheduled to start the series finale on Wednesday, June 11, was notably absent from pre-game catch sessions, though no official update on his status was provided.
The Mariners' right field situation has been a revolving door since Victor Robles' injury in early April, which left a significant void. Taveras was seen as a potential solution but ultimately did not deliver the consistency needed. With Canzone back and Raley on the mend, Seattle hopes to stabilize this crucial position as they navigate the challenges of the 2025 season.
Seattle's decision to move on from Taveras, despite the financial commitment, underscores the urgency to improve both offensively and defensively in the outfield. Canzone's power-hitting ability and recent form offer a promising alternative, while the team keeps an eye on prospects like Jared Sundstrom at Double-A and Harry Ford, who has excelled at Triple-A, albeit in non-outfield roles.
As the Mariners continue to adjust their lineup and roster, the next few weeks will be critical in determining whether these moves translate into improved performance on the field. Fans will be watching closely to see if Canzone can seize this opportunity and if the Mariners can finally find the right mix to bolster their outfield defense and offense heading into the summer stretch.
