The Cleveland Guardians have designated former Tampa Bay Rays and Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Zunino for assignment.
Zach Meisel, Guardians reporter at 'The Athletic' had that move as part of a series of moves by the team on Friday.
Guardians moves:
*Mike Zunino designated for assignment
*Touki Toussaint called up
*Cody Morris optioned to Triple-A
Zunino has never been much of an average hitter but is hitting even lower than his career average this year. He's sporting a .177 line with a .271 on-base percentage. He's got three home runs and 11 RBI.
This was his first year in Cleveland after spending four years with the Tampa Bay Rays and six years with the Seattle Mariners.
Zunino made the American League All-Star team with the Rays in 2021, a year in which he ended up hitting 33 homers and bringing home 62. He also helped the Rays get to the World Series in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, where they were beaten by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
A former first-round pick (No. 3) of the Mariners out of the University of Florida, he's got 149 career home runs and 372 career RBIs. He's got four seasons of 20 or more home runs.
Because of his power and his experience, it's likely that he'll get a chance to latch on somewhere this season, but it's highly unlikely he returns as a starter.
The Guardians have seven days to trade, release or outright him to the minors. Given his experience level, it's probable he becomes a free agent.
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