Time for everyone to get a new Travis Jankowski jersey, as the Seattle Mariners claimed Jankowski off waivers from the Mets, designating LHP Danny Young for assignment to make room on the roster.
The Mets had DFA Jankowski last weekend to make room for Tyler Naquin, who was acquired from the Reds, ending a stint with his hometown team for the 31-year-old.
Jankowski missed some time with a broken hand, and hit .167 in 63 plate appearances over 43 games for the Mets this season. He joins a Seattle club that has been without Mitch Haniger for most of the season with an ankle issue and just lost Home Run Derby star Julio Rodriguez to the IL on Sunday after he was hit by a pitch on the hand.
The Mariners had just three healthy outfielders – Kyle Lewis, fellow ex-Met Jarred Kelenic, and Citi Field villain Jesse Winker – on their roster entering this week’s series in Yankee Stadium, so the team has started usual second baseman/part-time outfielder Adam Frazier in right field with Kelenic in center in the first two games.
Jankowski arrived Tuesday and immediately got some action, entering as a defensive replacement late in Tuesday's game. He's glad to start his Mariners career at Yankee Stadium, and he told Newsday’s Anthony Rieber before the game that he is grateful for his time with the Mets.
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“Total appreciation of being a part of that team,” Jankowski told Rieber. “I wish them the best moving forward. It was a great organization to be with and they treated me and my family unbelievably well, so I have nothing but great things to say about it. Unfortunately, the time ended. That’s kind of how baseball works. I wish I could have done more to stay there, but to be able to go back to New York, where my career really took off in college, it was awesome to be able to play there again.”
And if you’re looking for a new Jankowski jersey or shirsey? He’ll wear No. 8 as a Mariner, but don’t ask him for a now-retro No. 16 Mets shirt, because he’s fresh out, as he told Rieber.
“I actually gave most of them away,” he said. “I think there’s a few requests from friends back home, so I might have to see if we can get some more made up.”
Might want to get a Mariners shirsey while you can, too, as it could be a short stint in Seattle. Haniger is on a rehab assignment at Triple-A and could be back shortly, and Rodriguez is not expected to miss much more than the minimum 10 days, hopefully.
Follow Lou DiPietro on Twitter: @LouDiPietroWFAN
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