The Mariners have placed 28-year old righty swinging catcher Chris Gimenez on the 15-day disabled list due to a strained oblique muscle. Gimenez has played in 16 games for the Mariners so far this year and he is 7 for 41 (.171 avg, .495 OPS) with 3 runs scored, 0 homers and 5 RBIs. The Mariners have called up 33-year old switch hitting catcher Josh Bard to replace Gimenez on the active roster. Bard has played in 58 games in AAA-ball this year and he is 68 for 226 (.301 avg, .766 OPS) with 28 runs scored, 2 homers and 41 RBIs. Bard played in 39 games for the Mariners last season and he was 24 for 112 (.214 avg, .634 OPS) with 9 runs scored, 3 homers and 10 RBIs. Bard has now played in 560 games in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 435 for 1,697 (.256 avg, .710 OPS) with 157 runs scored, 37 homers, 209 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Gimenez better get well soon or Bard might steal his job.

The Seattle Mariners have placed 32-year old lefty starting pitcher Erik Bedard on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 28th with a sprained left knee. Bedard has started 15 games for the Mariners this year and he is 4-6 with a 3.00 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. He also started 15 games in each 2008 and 2009 with the Mariners. This injury shouldn’t keep Bedard out more than the 15 days, so don’t get too worried Mariners’ fans. The Mariners have called up 30-year old righty swinging catcher Jose Yepez to replace Bedard on the active roster. Yepez has played in 28 games in AAA-ball this year and he is 27 for 98 (.276 avg, .671 OPS) with 14 runs scored, 1 homer, 15 RBIs and 1 stolen base. Yepez has now played in 611 games in 11 years in the minors and he is 547 for 2,042 (.268 avg, .732 OPS) with 266 runs scored, 35 homers, 298 RBIs and 15 stolen bases. This will be Yepez’ first taste of the majors but it will probably be a very short one. As soon as Miguel Olivo is ready to catch again, Yepez will likely be sent back to AAA.

The Seattle Mariners have designated 24-year old lefty reliever Edward Paredes for assignment. Paredes pitched in 23 games (0 starts) in AA+AAA-ball this year and he was 3-1 with a 7.71 ERA and a 2.18 WHIP. He walked 20 batters in 28 innings pitched while allowing 41 hits this year as he was awful. Paredes has now pitched in 181 games (46 starts) in his first six years in the minors and he is 31-29 with 20 saves, a 4.60 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. The Mariners needed Paredes’ spot on the roster for 33-year old switch-hitting catcher Josh Bard who was brought to the majors today.

The Mariners have designated 24-year old righty starter/reliever Chaz Roe for assignment. Roe pitched in 18 games (10 starts) in AAA-ball for the Mariners this year and he was 0-5 with 1 save, a 6.41 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP. He gave up 89 hits in only 66 innings in the minors as he got hit pretty hard. Roe has pitched in 144 games (136 starts) in his first seven years in the minors and he is 42-43 with 1 save, a 4.64 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP. The Mariners needed Roe’s roster spot for 30-year old righty swinging catcher Jose Yepez.

25-year old lefty swinging 3B Matt Mangini came into this season as the Mariners’ #18 prospect according to Baseball America. Mangini has played in 37 games in AAA-ball this year and he is 51 for 160 (.319 avg, .738 OPS) with 21 runs scored, 1 homer, 28 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Mangini got his first taste of the majors for the Mariners in 2010. Mangini played in 11 games for the Mariners last year and he was 8 for 38 (.211 avg, .461 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 0 homers and 1 RBI. He looked overmatched in his first stint in the majors as he whiffed 13 times while only walking 2 times. Mangini could either get another shot with the Mariners soon or he could be trade bait next month.