Mariners DFA Former Major League Closer (After Waiting Nearly 2 Years For Him)

The plan all season was for former major league closer Ken Giles to be a key part of the back-end of the Seattle Mariners bullpen this season when he was healthy. He'd just been on a rehab assignment the past week and a half, ever-closer to a return. Now, he'll have to look for work elsewhere, as the Mariners have designated Giles for assignment.

Seattle signed Giles, now 31, to a 2-year, $7M deal before the 2021 season, even while knowing that he would miss the entire year recovering from Tommy John surgery. He finally returned in late June of this season, but after tossing just 4.1 innings, he suffered shoulder inflammation, went on the IL, and was rehabbing for a return.

It was apparent, however, that GM Jerry DiPoto and the Mariners' braintrust just didn't feel he would have an impactful role with an already stacked bullpen.

Before 2021, Seattle was in a rebuild and signed Ken Giles to be their closer of the future.

Not even 2 years later, we have 8 or 9 relievers better than him and we DFA’d Giles. I’m glad we didn’t force him into a spot just to have him, good call by Jerry.
— Depressed Mariners Fan (@IISwitchII) August 12, 2022