SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners called up infielder-outfielder Michael Arroyo from Triple-A for Sunday’s game against the Athletics.
The 21-year-old started at second base and batted eighth in the lineup in his MLB debut, going 0 for 3 in a 2-0 win over the A’s before being lifted for a defensive replacement.
Arroyo, a native of Colombia, was batting .283 with 18 home runs, 81 RBIs and 17 stolen bases over a combined 114 games between Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Tacoma.
Arroyo said he first learned of his promotion via a phone call from his former minor league teammate Lazaro Montes, who was called up to the Mariners from Tacoma on Sept. 1.
“You never stop trying to believing in yourself,” Arroyo said through an interpreter before the game. “You have that confidence in yourself and in your game. And thank God it was able to happen.”
Mariners manager Dan Wilson said he was excited to see what the team has in Arroyo, who is ranked as the No. 45 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline and third in the Mariners’ system.
“I love the fact that he’s a type of hitter that will use the whole field,” Wilson said. “He has a really good sense for putting up a good at-bat like our guys do, and so it’s great to have him.”
___
