Mariners Release Mitch Garver and Rob Refsnyder to Make Room for New Roster Additions

The Seattle Mariners released catcher Mitch Garver and outfielder Rob Refsnyder, two underperforming veterans acquired in the offseason. The roster moves follow Taylor Ward's arrival via trade and open the path for prospect Jhonny Pereda to assume catching duties alongside Cal Raleigh. Both releases signal a departure from patience with struggling position players as Seattle pursues postseason competition.

Garver's Departure Ends Long-Struggling Tenure

Garver's exit closes a challenging chapter that began in earnest with a two-year, $24 million contract before the 2024 season. After posting an 88 weighted runs created plus rating across two years, the Mariners declined his $12 million mutual option and re-signed him to a minor league deal. His return to the organization proved equally disappointing. Through 149 plate appearances, Garver batted .175 with a .302 on-base percentage and .294 slugging percentage. While his walk rate reached a notable 14.8 percent, he struck out in 32.9 percent of his at-bats—a problematic figure for a 35-year-old catcher already limited defensively.

Refsnyder's Costly Experiment Ends

Refsnyder's $6.25 million one-year contract represented a calculated gamble. Seattle hoped to exploit his career .265 average against left-handed pitchers, a split where he posted a 159 weighted runs created plus in 2025 with Boston. The Mariners constructed a left-handed-heavy lineup with players including Cole Young, Josh Naylor, J.P. Crawford, and Luke Raley. However, Refsnyder delivered a .140 batting average across 49 games with zero home runs, creating an offensive liability rather than the complementary bench bat the organization envisioned. His walk rate collapsed from 11.5 percent last season to 6.2 percent while his strikeout rate climbed from 25.8 to 28.7 percent.

Pereda Steps In With Minor League Success

Jhonny Pereda, recalled from Triple-A Tacoma, brings recent production that intrigued the Mariners. The 30-year-old slashed .319 with a .402 on-base percentage and .440 slugging percentage in the minors, supported by an 11 percent walk rate and an 11.9 percent strikeout rate. At the major league level, Pereda showed promise in limited action with a .270 average and .365 slugging percentage across 63 at-bats. His contract situation remains favorable for Seattle—he enters his final option year but retains five years of club control, providing flexibility for 2027 planning.