Texas Rangers outfielder Leody Taveras (3) looks on in the on-deck circle against the San Francisco Giants during the seventh inning at Oracle Park on April 27. Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

Seattle Mariners Make Important Roster Move on Wednesday, Activating New Outfielder

Originally posted on Seattle Mariners on SI
By Brady Farkas | Last updated May 7, 2025 2:45 PM ET

After winning the waiver claim on Tuesday, the Seattle Mariners are wasting no time in deploying their latest roster piece.

Outfielder Leody Taveras has been activated to the 26-man roster, well Rhylan Thomas has been set down to Triple-A Tacoma in a corresponding move. Taveras is in the starting lineup for the M's on Wednesday as they finish out a series with the Athletics in West Sacramento. He's playing right field and batting seventh.

Roster Moves:

Leody Taveras (#4), OF, reports to club.
Rhylan Thomas, OF, optioned to Triple-A Tacoma.

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— Mariners PR (@MarinersPR) May 7, 2025

Series finale on deck. #TridentsUp pic.twitter.com/WBDRsC8E1t
— Seattle Mariners (@Mariners) May 7, 2025

The 26-year-old Taveras is a six-year veteran of the Texas Rangers, helping them win the World Series in 2023. Known as a solid defender and a good runner, Taveras is a lifetime .240 hitter, though he hit .266 with 14 homers and 67 RBI in that 2023 season. He was off to a slow start with Texas this year, hitting just .241 with one homer and eight RBIs. The Mariners are hoping that he can help alleviate the losses of Luke Raley (oblique) and Victor Robles (shoulder fracture), who are both on the injured list until at least July.

Speaking of Robles, the M's are hoping they can find lightning in a bottle again with Taveras. Robles was discarded last season by the Washington Nationals, only to become a huge part of the M's resurgent offense in the second half. He finished the year with 30 steals and a .328 average in 77 games.

The Mariners enter play on Wednesday at 21-14 overall and in first place in the American League West.

They'll be off on Thursday before opening a weekend series with the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday.

This article first appeared on Seattle Mariners on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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