Major League Baseball

Mariners designate pitcher Snell for assignment

Published Jun. 15, 2010 11:25 p.m. ET

foxsports

Seattle Mariners pitcher Ian Snell, 0-5 with a 6.41 ERA, has been designated for assignment.

The Mariners on Tuesday recalled right-hander Brian Sweeney, signed as a minor league free agent on April 16, from Triple-A Tacoma.

The 28-year-old Snell was replaced in the rotation by Luke French on Monday in the 9-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. It was the second time Snell was sent to bullpen this year. In four relief appearances, he gave up nine runs in 11 innings.

``The numbers didn't work,'' manager Don Wakamatsu said. ``We tried it a couple times, tried to find a role where he would be serviceable with us, and he just didn't execute.''

Snell, who has a 38-53 career record with a 4.80 ERA, was acquired by the Mariners last July along with shortstop Jack Wilson as part of a seven-player deal.

The 36-year-old Sweeney was 2-1 with a 2.51 ERA in 28 2-3 innings of relief with 32 strikeouts and eight walks. Sweeney spent the last three seasons playing in Japan for the Nippon Ham-Fighters, and last played in the major leagues with the San Diego Padres in 2006.

Sweeney originally signed with the Mariners as a minor league free agent in September 1996.