The Mariners announced Monday the demotion of former top prospect first baseman Justin Smoak to Triple-A Tacoma via Twitter. In response, Seattle has activated first baseman Mike Carp from the 15-day disabled list and recalled outfielder Trayvon Robinson, the club also announced via Twitter on Tuesday.
Smoak has been an unmitigated disaster since his arrival in the trade sending Cliff Lee to Texas in 2010. Smoak has hit 33 home runs with the Mariners in 243 career games, but his 224 strikeouts have led to an abysmal .215 batting average and .662 OPS. Things have dipped even further in 2012, as he is hitting a career worst .189/.253/.320 (career worsts in all three categories).
Carp last played June 11 due to a shoulder injury. The first baseman and sometime outfielder has a .157/.286/.337 line in 98 plate appearances after hitting a solid .276/.326/.466 with the club in 2011.
Robinson was acquired from the Dodgers in last season's three-team deal sending Erik Bedard to the Red Sox. The 24-year-old hit .210/.250/.336 in 44 games for the Mariners last season and has a .740 OPS for Triple-A Tacoma in 83 games this season.
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