DETROIT -- Center fielder Leonys Martin will remain in the Mariners' organization after clearing waivers and being outrighted to Triple-A Tacoma on Thursday.
Martin, the club's starting center fielder until a week ago, was designated for assignment on Sunday in a surprising move after the Mariners decided to go with Jarrod Dyson in center and give Guillermo Heredia regular playing time in left field.
The 29-year-old hit just .111/.172/.130 over his first 15 games this year after batting .247/.306/.378 with 15 home runs and 24 stolen bases in 143 games last season.
But Martin is regarded as a strong defensive outfielder, and he provides added depth in the organization with right fielder Mitch Haniger going on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday with a strained oblique in his right side.
Other clubs could have claimed Martin, but they would have had to pick up his $4.85 million salary. He'll be arbitration eligible one more time in 2017 and become a free agent in '19.
Greg Johns