Shelton Called Up, Vargas Down

By David Ferraro
July 9, 2009

The Seattle Mariners added some offense on Thursday by calling up first baseman Chris Shelton from AAA-Tacoma.

Shelton is a 29 year old slugger that will be playing his fifth season in the majors. He came into the league with Detroit where he had a couple hot starts. In 2005, Shelton hit .299 with 18 home runs in 388 at-bats. The next year his numbers dipped a bit and his strike outs increased, hitting .273 with 16 home runs and 107 strike outs in 373 at-bats.

In 2007, Shelton failed to make the Tigers and was later traded to the Texas Rangers where he spent the season with AAA-Oklahoma. In December, Shelton signed a minor league contract with the Mariners.

Shelton failed to make the team once again in spring training, despite a .460 batting average.

In AAA-Tacoma, Shelton was hitting .319 with 12 home runs and 64 RBI. Shelton was also playing third base there, although his position has typically been first base.

Manager Don Wakamatsu told the Seattle PI, "I wouldn't consider him there unless it's an emergency. His true position is first base. Because of the strength of first base down there, he's had to play a lot of third. But that's not his natural position."

To make room for Shelton fifth starter Jason Vargas was optioned to the minors. Due to the all-star break, the Mariners will not be needing a fifth start until July 25th. GM Jack Zduriencik said this would give Vargas the opportunity to keep pitching his scheduled starts.