Outfielder Wladimir Balentien struck out in his bid to land a spot on the Mariners' 25-man Opening Day roster this spring, but his departure on Monday morning was all about playing time.
"He's a young kid learning the strike zone and we want him playing every day," manager John McLaren said. "He needs to get ready for his Triple-A season down there."
The 23-year-old Balentien, who batted .319 (15-for-47) with a team-leading three home runs and nine RBIs in Cactus League games, was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma, along with catcher Rob Johnson. Left-handed pitcher Jake Woods was reassigned to the Minor League camp.
Balentien ('04) had a good spring, but there is a reason he and Johnson ('05) are headed to Tacoma to start the season.
"We don't want those guys sitting around as extra players,"
McLaren said. "We want them playing on a regular basis."
And that is what they will be doing in the PCL to start the season. The story mentions that Johnson was 5-for-13 in his Cactus League games.
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