The Mariners released veteran catcher Michael Perez, who’s been playing with their Triple-A affiliate in Tacoma, per Rainiers broadcaster Mike Curto. His release clears way for Seby Zavala, who’s returning to the Rainiers after clearing outright waivers. Zavala and Michael Papierski will handle catching duties in Tacoma and stand as experienced depth options behind Cal Raleigh and Mitch Garver.
Perez, 31, came to the Mariners alongside reliever Mike Baumann in a small trade sending minor league catcher Blake Hunt to Baltimore earlier this season. Perez has played in parts of six big league seasons between the Rays, Pirates and Mets. He’s a career .179/.248/.306 hitter in 599 trips to the plate. It’s a well below-average line (48% worse, by measure of wRC+), but Perez grades out quite well in terms of his throwing and blocking. He boasts a career 29% caught-stealing rate, and Statcast credits him as one of the game’s best blocking catchers on a rate basis. He’s typically drawn negative framing grades, however.
While Perez has struggled in Triple-A this season and last, he’s also had plenty of success at the level. In parts of six Triple-A campaigns, the lefty-swinging backstop is a .236/.324/.405 hitter with 36 homers, 31 doubles and a pair of triples in 975 plate appearances. He’ll head back to the open market in search of a new opportunity and should latch on with a club lacking catching depth — particularly if said club is seeking a glove-first option to stash in the upper minors.