Seattle, WA – The Seattle Mariners placed outfielder Michael Saunders on the 15-day disabled list prior to Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers due to a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder.
Saunders sustained the injury while crashing into the right-field fence as he caught a fly ball off the bat of Houston's Jose Altuve during the first inning of Wednesday's 8-3 loss to the Astros. The British Columbia native was batting .286 with one home run and five RBI through Seattle's first nine games.
The Mariners purchased the contract of veteran outfielder Endy Chavez from Triple-A Tacoma to take Saunders' spot on the active roster. The 35-year-old signed a minor league contract with Seattle on March 24 after being released by Kansas City, and was hitting .429 with a .462 on-base percentage in six games with the Rainiers.
Chavez will begin his second tour of duty with the Mariners, having been the team's Opening Day left fielder in 2009. He hit .203 with two homers and 12 RBI in 64 appearances with Baltimore last season.
Pitcher D.J. Mitchell was designated for assignment to make room for Chavez on the 40-man roster.
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