Zavala went 3-for-4 with an RBI single, a double and two runs during a win over the Rockies in the second game of a doubleheader Sunday.
Zavala got in on the Mariners' much-needed offensive breakout in a major way, as he paced the team with his three-hit day. The reserve backstop had only 12 plate appearances on the season coming into Sunday, last having played April 13. Cal Raleigh, who belted his team-leading fifth home run in Sunday's second game, has understandably been laying claim to the bulk of playing time behind the dish, although both he and Zavala were in the lineup for the closing installment of the twin bill since Raleigh filled the designated-hitter role.
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Mariners' Seby Zavala: Projected to make roster
Rotowire
Zavala is hitting just .158 across 23 Cactus League plate appearances, but he's nevertheless predicted to make the Opening Day roster by Daniel Kramer of MLB.com.
The 30-year-old was acquired from the Diamondbacks in a late-November trade to offer some experienced depth at catcher behind Cal Raleigh. The disappointing spring at the plate notwithstanding, Zavala, who holds a career .210 average and .622 OPS over 514 major-league plate appearances, is still slated to spell Raleigh on occasion against right-handed pitching, although Kramer points out the offseason arrival is expected to see less action than Tom Murphy did in that same No. 2 role a season ago.
The Mariners acquired Zavala from the Diamondbacks on Wednesday along with Carlos Vargas in exchange for Eugenio Suarez, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
Zavala was a waiver claim by the Diamondbacks in September but made just four starts during his three and a half weeks with the team. The 30-year-old catcher has a career .622 OPS over parts of four major-league seasons spent mostly with the White Sox. He could open 2024 as Cal Raleigh's backup.
Diamondbacks' Seby Zavala: Claimed by Diamondbacks
Rotowire
Zavala was claimed off waivers by the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Zavala was designated for assignment by the White Sox earlier this week but has found a new home and goes to a team in playoff contention. The 30-year-old is out of options, so he'll head straight to the major-league club.
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White Sox's Seby Zavala: Loses 40-man spot
Rotowire
The White Sox activated Zavala (oblique) from the 10-day injured list and designated him for assignment Monday.
The move comes as somewhat of a surprise, as Zavala had been seeing the bulk of the starts at catcher prior to straining his oblique in early August. However, the White Sox are prepared to go with Korey Lee and Yasmani Grandal as their catching duo down the stretch. Zavala has a career .613 OPS over parts of four big-league seasons, but with so many teams looking for catching depth, it's possible he gets claimed on waivers.
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White Sox's Seby Zavala: Rehab assignment on tap
Rotowire
The White Sox announced Sunday that Zavala (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Charlotte in the coming days, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Zavala has been on the injured list for two weeks due to a strained left oblique, but he appears to be closing in on a return since he's been cleared to resume game action in the minors. If all goes well during his rehab assignment, it's possible he rejoins the major-league club sometime this week.
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White Sox's Seby Zavala: Out with oblique strain
Rotowire
Zavala was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a strained left oblique.
Zavala has apparently been dealing with the injury for the past few days since he hasn't seen the field since going 1-for-3 with a solo homer Wednesday. Carlos Perez was called up in a corresponding move, while Yasmani Grandal should serve as the White Sox's top option behind the plate.
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White Sox's Seby Zavala: Losing work to Grandal
Rotowire
Zavala is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Guardians, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Beginning July 26, Zavala began a stretch in which he made six starts behind the dish in seven games, but he's now been on the bench for four consecutive contests. With Zavala having mustered a lowly .439 OPS since the beginning of July, the White Sox appear to have pulled the plug on him as their primary catcher and have turned those duties back over to Yasmani Grandal.
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White Sox's Seby Zavala: Picking up more work
Rotowire
Zavala will start at catcher and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Rangers.
Zavala will be making his sixth start behind the plate in seven games, though Yasmani Grandal was simultaneously included in the lineup at first base for one of those contests. For the third game in a row, however, Grandal finds himself on the bench, so unless he's dealing with an unreported illness or injury, he appears to have ceded the No. 1 catcher's role to Zavala. Given that Zavala is getting on base at a .133 clip in 10 games since the All-Star break, he's not yet doing anything to run away with the job.
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White Sox's Seby Zavala: Sitting Friday
Rotowire
Zavala is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Twins.
Zavala will remain on the bench for a second straight game Friday. Yasmani Grandal will start at catcher and bat sixth in the series opener with Minnesota.
