The Seattle Mariners released veteran catcher Mitch Garver and outfielder Rob Refsnyder on Tuesday as part of a seven-roster-move overhaul following the trade deadline, clearing active roster space for newly acquired outfielder Taylor Ward and reliever Seranthony Domínguez while welcoming back injured utilityman Brendan Donovan.
Roster Overhaul Following the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline
Following the conclusion of Monday’s Major League Baseball trade deadline, the Seattle Mariners initiated a sweeping series of roster adjustments on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Facing a 55-58 record that left the team two and a half games behind the American League West-leading Houston Astros and two games out of a wild card berth, leadership opted for an aggressive lineup reset at T-Mobile Park rather than maintaining status quo sentimentality.
The moves directly addressed underperforming veteran contracts by parting ways with two 35-year-old acquisitions. Outfielder Rob Refsnyder and catcher Mitch Garver were both given outright releases, clearing the necessary financial and roster capacity to integrate recent trade acquisitions and returning veterans ahead of Tuesday night’s series opener against the Detroit Tigers.
Veteran Departures: Refsnyder and Garver Fail to Produce
Rob Refsnyder arrived in Seattle on a one-year contract signed in December, carrying a reputation as one of baseball’s premier bats against left-handed pitching. That production failed to materialize on the field. In 53 games, Refsnyder batted just .140 with four home runs, a double, 11 RBIs, and eight walks against 37 strikeouts, producing a minus-1.0 bWAR. Although he returned from a month-long injured list stint for right knee inflammation by going 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs in a 7-6 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 28, he went 0 for 5 with a walk across his subsequent three games.
Mitch Garver faced a similarly difficult campaign during his third season with the organization, which began with a minor league contract signed in February during spring training. In 50 games, Garver hit .175 with four home runs, three doubles, 15 RBIs, and 22 walks against 49 strikeouts, resulting in 0.3 bWAR.
Trade Additions and the Return of Brendan Donovan
To absorb the production lost by the veteran releases, the Mariners integrated several key arrivals. Outfielder Taylor Ward, acquired on Monday from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for right-handers Alex Hoppe, Brock Moore, and Harrison Kreiling, batted eighth in his debut. Ward brings strong on-base credentials, hitting .246 with 20 doubles, seven home runs, 30 RBIs, and an American League-leading 87 walks across 111 games this season.
Relief pitcher Seranthony Domínguez joined the active bullpen mix after arriving in a Saturday trade with the Chicago White Sox, bringing a 4-3 record and a 3.99 ERA across 43 appearances. Meanwhile, utilityman Brendan Donovan returned to the active roster after missing time due to a left groin muscle strain sustained on May 15. The 2025 All-Star hit .274 with three home runs, four doubles, and eight RBIs in his first 25 games of the year.
Catching Depth and Triple-A Call-Ups
Behind the plate, the Mariners recalled catcher Jhonny Pereda from Triple-A Tacoma to assume the backup role behind starter Cal Raleigh. Pereda previously stepped in during Raleigh’s month-long injury absence in May and June, hitting .310 with two home runs across 19 games. For the season overall, the 30-year-old is batting .270 with two home runs and four RBIs in 19 major league games, stepping directly into the roster spot vacated by Garver. Outfielder Stuart Fairchild was designated for assignment to clear room for the transactions.
| Roster Transaction | Player | Details / Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Released | Mitch Garver | 35-year-old catcher; .175 average in 50 games |
| Released | Rob Refsnyder | 35-year-old outfielder; .140 average in 53 games |
| Activated from IL | Brendan Donovan | Utilityman; sidelined since May 15 with groin strain |
| Added via Trade | Taylor Ward | Acquired from Orioles; AL-leading 87 walks |
| Added via Trade | Seranthony Domínguez | Relief pitcher acquired from White Sox; 3.99 ERA |
| Recalled | Jhonny Pereda | Catcher reassigned from Triple-A Tacoma |
| Designated for Assignment | Stuart Fairchild | Outfielder removed from active roster |
Immediate Outlook for the American League West Race
The aggressive roster churn reflects an organization attempting to correct course before the final two months of the regular season slip away. As the team prepared to host the Detroit Tigers at T-Mobile Park under a partly sunny 81-degree roof report, the newly reconfigured lineup faced immediate pressure to begin closing the gap in the division race.
