Mariners' Tyler Locklear: Hot bat since return to Tacoma
Rotowire
Locklear owns a .409 average and 1.162 OPS with a double, two home runs, five RBI, a walk and seven runs over the 23 plate appearances he's logged with Triple-A Tacoma since being optioned July 30.
The rookie's latest stint with the Mariners lasted just five games and 17 plate appearances, a stretch during which Locklear produced an .067 average and mammoth 47.1 percent strikeout rate. However, Locklear has looked right back in his element with the Rainiers, producing multi-hit efforts in three of his past four contests. While Justin Turner (hand) has taken a hold of the everyday role at first base since his trade to Seattle, it's still conceivable Locklear gets another look at the big-league level down the stretch if he continues to perform in a similar fashion at Tacoma.
The Mariners optioned Locklear to Triple-A Tacoma on Tuesday.
The team's trade of Ty France briefly cleared a path to playing time at first base for Locklear, but it quickly closed upon its acquisition of Justin Turner. Locklear will return to Tacoma, where he's put up an .887 OPS this season.
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Mariners' Tyler Locklear: Dropping out of lineup Monday
Rotowire
Locklear is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Red Sox.
Locklear will hit the bench Monday after going 1-for-14 with seven strikeouts against two walks while starting in four of the Mariners' first five games following his promotion from Triple-A Tacoma on July 23. Though an everyday role at first base opened up for Locklear when Ty France was designated for assignment last week, the 23-year-old could be on the outside looking in for playing time after the Mariners acquired Justin Turner from the Blue Jays on Tuesday. Turner should be a fixture in the lineup against both right- and left-handed pitching at either first base or designated hitter once he joins the team.
Mariners' Tyler Locklear: Singles in majors return
Rotowire
Locklear, summoned from Triple-A Tacoma earlier in the day, went 1-for-4 in a loss to the Angels on Tuesday.
Locklear is expected to be given an extended look at first base after Ty Francewas jettisoned from the roster, and Locklear was able to get on safely in his first big-league plate appearance since June 20. Consistent contact was an Achilles' heel for Locklear -- as it is for many rookies -- during his first tenure with the Mariners this season, so the fact he struck out in two of his other three plate appearances Tuesday is a reminder he still has plenty of work to do in that regard.
Mariners' Tyler Locklear: Called up, batting sixth Tuesday
Rotowire
The Mariners recalled Locklear from Triple-A Tacoma, and he's starting at first base and batting sixth Tuesday against the Angels.
The Mariners have elected to move on from first baseman Ty France, and Locklear will now have the opportunity to secure the starting role after posting an .887 OPS between the Double-A and Triple-A levels this season. The 23-year-old received his first taste of the majors in June while France was banged up, but Locklear was sent back to Tacoma after just 11 games. He's poised for a longer stay this time around as one of Seattle's top prospects.
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Mariners' Tyler Locklear: Taking over as top first baseman
Rotowire
The Mariners are expected to recall Locklear from Triple-A Tacoma this week to take over as the club's everyday first baseman, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
Seattle is pulling the plug on incumbent first baseman Ty France, who was placed on irrevocable outright waivers Sunday. The Mariners may have to wait until France is claimed or clears waivers before adding Locklear to the roster in a corresponding move, so it's not immediately clear if Locklear will be available for Monday's series opener versus the Angels. In any case, Locklear will be back in the big leagues soon, and he should have a decent amount of leash in an everyday role as the Mariners look to him to provide a spark to a dormant offense. Locklear owns an .887 OPS over 334 plate appearances on the season between Tacoma and Double-A Arkansas and slashed .200/.250/.433 in 32 plate appearances with the Mariners during his first stint in the big leagues back in June.
