Mariners Sign Mark Worrell

The Mariners signed right-handed reliever Mark Worrell, the team confirmed to MLBTR. The 27-year-old appeared in four games for the 2008 Cardinals and was sent to San Diego along with Luke Gregerson in the Khalil Greene trade. Gregerson has since become one of the best relievers in the league, but Worrell has yet to establish himself in the majors. Worrell had Tommy John surgery in March of 2009 and missed the entire season. The Padres non-tendered him last winter, before re-signing him to a minor league deal. But after Worrell posted a 5.45 ERA in 25 Triple A appearances, the Padres released him last month. Worrell posted 9.3 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in Triple A Portland this year, so he may have re-discovered his pre-Tommy John form. Worrell's minor league resume includes a career 3.21 ERA and three times as many strikeouts as walks. He began his Mariners career by pitching a scoreless inning for Triple A Tacoma.