It appeared as if the Mariners were about to replace Jose Vidro as the designated hitter because of his lack of power but he has went on an absolute tear since the All-Star Break!  In 34 games since the All-Star Break, Vidro is 50 for 124 (.403 avg, .962 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 1 homer and 23 RBIs.  His 2nd half numbers have given his season totals a nice spike.  In 114 games this season Vidro is 136 for 425 (.320 avg, .777 OPS) with 63 runs scored, 4 homers and 49 RBIs.

The Mariners have acquired lefty reliever John Parrish from the Orioles for 25 year old OF Sebastien Boucher.  Parrish was not pitching too good for the Orioles this season.  In 45 games he was 2-2 with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.78 WHIP.  In 41.2 innings he has allowed 41 hits, walked 33 batters and whiffed 36.  He has good stuff but he has no control and it has been that way his whole major league career so it will be interesting to see how the Mariners coaches do with him.  Boucher has played in 87 games in AA+AAA ball this season for the Mariners and he was 75 for 312 (.240 avg, .658 OPS) with 53 runs scored, 2 homers, 23 RBIs and 16 stolen bases.  The Mariners have also released Tomo Ohka from his minor league contract.  He started 4 games in AAA ball for the Mariners and he was 0-3 with a 10.32 ERA.

Poor Wladimir Balentin.  The 23 year old righty swinging Balentin is blocked by a lot of quality outfielders on the Mariners but he could get traded at some point and get his big chance.  The Mariners offered him straight up for Octavio Dotel but the Royals decided to take the Braves offer of Kyle Davies which was a huge mistake that will likely haunt them.  Balentin has played in 107 AAA games for the Mariners and he is 126 for 412 (.306 avg, .932 OPS) with 75 runs scored, 24 homers, 78 RBIs and 14 stolen bases.

The Seattle Mariners have recalled outfielder Adam Jones from AAA.  He will likely take at bats away from Jose Vidro, Richie Sexson and Raul Ibanez while he tries to establish himself in the major leagues.  He made his season debut last night and he went 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored.  Jones has been dominant in AAA ball this season.  In 101 games in the minors Jones was 132 for 420 (.314 avg) with 75 runs scored, 25 homers, 84 RBIs and 8 stolen bases.  To make room for Jones on the roster the Mariners designated Jason Ellison for assignment.  Ellison played in 63 games this season for the Mariners and he was 13 for 46 (.283 avg, .576 OPS) with 9 runs scored and 3 stolen bases.

The Mariners have traded 30 year old Julio Mateo to the Phillies for 26 year old minor league infielder Jesus Merchan.  Mateo pitched in 9 games for the Mariners this season and he was 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP.  In 12 innings in the majors he allowed 12 hits, walked 5 batters and whiffed 4.  The Mariners then banished Mateo to AAA ball because of an off the field domestic dispute.  In AAA ball Mateo was 3-1 with 12 saves, a 0.79 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP!  He pitched 34.1 innings in the minors and he allowed 25 hits, walked 2 batters and whiffed 29!  He will likely really help the Phillies in the last two months of the season but the Mariners wanted nothing more to do with him after the way he has acted off the field.  Mateo finished his Mariners career with a 18-12 record, 2 saves, a 3.68 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP.  He wound up pitching 318.1 innings and he allowed 298 hits, walked 85 batters and whiffed 216. 

Jesus Merchan is a 26-year old righty swinging 2B.  He has played in 84 games in AA+AAA ball this season and he is 96 for 289 (.332 avg, .896 OPS) with 58 runs scored, 8 homers, 46 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.  He will likely get called up in September to show what he can do in the majors.