SEATTLE -- Outfielder Braden Bishop, the Mariners’ No. 11-ranked prospect per MLB Pipeline, was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday in time for the series opener against the Cubs, with the club optioning starting center fielder Mallex Smith to Tacoma after a rough April.

Bishop made his Major League debut with the Mariners in Tokyo in the Opening Series against the A’s, when the club had three extra roster spots, then he was sent to Tacoma and hit .267/.356/.444 with three home runs and 13 RBIs in 21 games.

Bishop was told after Tacoma’s game in Salt Lake City on Monday night that he needed to get on a plane for Seattle, and he arrived just in time to take part in pregame meetings and be in the lineup for his first Major League start -- in center field, batting eighth.

“I’m a little overwhelmed,” Bishop said of his whirlwind arrival. “Obviously it feels good. I think the biggest thing, coming into Spring Training I wanted to earn their trust. I think I did that. I think them bringing me here kind of shows that. So that feels good, but now I have to prove it.”

Manager Scott Servais said the right-handed-hitting Bishop will get plenty of playing time immediately, as the Cubs are starting a pair of left-handers in the series and the Yankees and Red Sox have several southpaws lined up to face Seattle on its upcoming road trip.

“Nothing surprises me on Braden Bishop anymore,” Servais said. “He’s really changed his swing a lot. He used to be just a speed guy that hit down on it. He got off that program and really turned his career around once he got into pro ball and realized the value in getting the ball in the air.

“He’s certainly turned into more of a line-drive hitter and tougher out and more productive player. I’m anxious to see him play. I want him to take it and run with it and have fun, put a smile on your face and go catch all the fly balls that go out there. He’ll be fine.”

That same approach seemed to get away from Smith, who acknowledged he was “thinking too much” the last few weeks as his struggles mounted.

Smith was acquired from the Rays in a five-player trade that sent catcher Mike Zunino to Tampa Bay in November, with the intention that he’d fill the Mariners’ leadoff role and center-field spot. But the 25-year-old has hit just .165/.255/.247, and he's on an 0-for-24 skid, while also struggling defensively in the past week.

Smith posted a .296/.367/.406 line with 40 stolen bases last year in his first full season as a starter with the Rays, and the Mariners hope to get that player back once he relaxes and regains his confidence in Tacoma.

“We had a really good meeting with Mallex today,” Servais said. “Our job is to get players going and playing well. Sometimes you have to take a step back. He just had a tough time here the last couple weeks getting much going offensively. And on the defense side of the ball, it’s been a little bit of a struggle there as well.

“This is something we’ve done with other players. We sent Mike Zunino back, we sent James Paxton down at one point. You’re just trying to get the player down there and let him restart or reboot his season.”

Smith missed almost all of Spring Training and the trip to Japan after straining his elbow prior to camp, but it’s been his timing at the plate of late that got out of whack. Correcting that will be his focus now. He’s expected to be in the lineup for Tacoma in Salt Lake City on Wednesday.

“We’re trying to incorporate his lower half into his swing,” Servais said. “It’s almost like he’s swinging flat-footed and he just looks so disconnected. To Mallex’s point, he said he’s never missed that many fastballs before. When players make those kind of comments, they know something isn’t quite right.

“This is something I feel very confident Mallex can get going back in the right direction again. He has a great track record of hitting and being a very productive Major League player and he will be back.”